Running head: COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Compare and Contrast

Native American Culture
Josephine Rivera
Salt Lake Community College

ePortfolio link:
www.jriver66.weebly.com

Running head: COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Cultures and belief systems vary from continent to continent, country to country, and
even from state to state. However, two cultures that seem to be immensely different are that of
Western, or American, culture and Indian culture. Each of the major aspects of Western culture,
whether it be gender roles, our impact on the environment, government, and religion, seem to be
polar opposities to that of Native American (Indian) culture.
When I first began to truly contemplate the differences between the culture Ive been
immersed in versus the general culture weve studied in class, I thought of our forms of
government even leadership in general. The basis of America is built upon several forms of
government. Even when Europeans first came to the Americas, they adhered to a monarchy
across the Atlantic. Although our modern government is supposedly for the people, so many
citizens feel that theyve been slighted by a leadership that is supposed to protect them. Instead,
they feel controlled, violated, and even robbed. This may be compared to the ruling classes
within Indian culture, which is very much focused on the benefit of a tribe rather than an
individual or oppressive government. The central ruler was a chief intended to regulate and
maintain order within relationships, and the forms of government were extremely small
depending on the tribe. Paiutes, for example, moved in tribes of 100 or less and only met once a
year to hunt or arrange marriages. (Olson & Wilson)
The subject of leadership inevitably carries into Western cultures desire for control; to
bring the concept of manifest destiny into every aspect of our lives. This control infiltrates more
than just government the environment is another major difference that separates Indian and
Western culture, and this becomes evident through viewing the relationship each culture has with

Running head: COMPARE AND CONTRAST

nature. Overall, Native Americans cherish their special relationship with the Earth while Western
culture develops and denies their footprint on the environment. Native Americans in the
Twentieth Century writes: [Native Americans] believed in the kinship of all living things and
practiced a form of reciprocity with nature, giving something back for something taken. (Olson
& Wilson) It is difficult to deny that Western culture sees nature as an endless resource meant for
taking. A field must be developed into a mall, an entire ecosystem can be compromised for the
building of a new Walmart, and because weve left such a stain on the environment, we must
hunt so animals dont die from starvation. It is sobering to think that nature gives when it seems
to have nothing left, yet we drive our gas-guzzling vehicles and over-water our golf courses
without a second thought. It would benefit us and our generations immensely to view the Earth
as a precious home and perceive animals as a privilege to consume, much like the culture that
existed long before our arrival did.
This constant strife for control also leaks into the conversations surrounding gender.
Native Americans rarely viewed men and women as anything other than equals. In fact, many
Native American tribes (specifically Cherokees) gave the women of their tribes important tasks
and economic control, reserving decisions that could affect the tribes to women. As European
settlers examined how Indians treated their women, it only added to Europeans perception that
Indians were inferior. Although the Indian tribes benefitted greatly from including their women
in political power, white settlers continuously excluded women and felt their duties resided in
child-bearing and housework. While Western culture has changed significantly and is far less
sexist, women still bear the burden of submissive gender roles and are constantly forced to prove
their worth in marriages, the workplace, and their communities.

Running head: COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Lastly, religion presents a stark difference between Indians and Western cultures,
especially in regards to spirituality. While European immediately identified Indians as being
radically different, they werent seen as inferior until their religious practices were compared.
(Olson & Wilson) Settlers were shocked, even disgusted, by Indians worship of wooden figures
and artwork, and one of their main (and most oppressive) goals was to convert Indians, often
killing or imprisoning them if they refused to subside. This later forced Indians to move to
reservations due to the religious differences between the tribes. Western culture is dominantly
Christian, and consequently, any minority religions are often viewed as inferior or evil.
Ironically, most Christian peoples are not practicing and dont place value on spirituality. In
contrast, Indian culture is founded upon spirituality and our relationships with creators, creations,
and each other. Religion tends to categorize people the undeniable differences between
Christianity and Indian worship presented a major rift between the two peoples, and the effects
are still prominent. Rather than validating Indian religions, we admire them from a distance as
being merely interesting.
While no culture or belief system is purely good or bad, it is crucial to highlight not
necessarily how they are different, but how we can learn from a culture separate from our own.
Westernization has presented economic prosperity and an elevated standard of life, but at what
cost? Perhaps, if we continuously sought to implement Indian beliefs into our own, wed become
a more accepting and spiritual people capable of valuing beliefs different from our own. Whether
or not one completely agrees with another mentality, it is always beneficial to constantly educate
onself not only to become well-rounded, but to become in tune with ourselves and the settings
in which we live our lives.

Running head: COMPARE AND CONTRAST

References
Olson, J. S., & Wilson, R. (1984). Native Americans in the twentieth century. Provo, Utah:
Brigham Young University Press.