9 Things America Needs to Understand About Native Values
Values and integrity have always been respected by traditional Native peoples, but when colonization forced its way onto this land, dishonesty and treachery took a terrible toll. Even many mainstream Americans are tired of it, but still don’t understand where they went wrong. Here’s a sample of things mainstream America needs to understand—add your own in the comments.
Honesty and Integrity
Out of the 500 treaties signed between tribes and the United States, none have ever been fully honored. History proves that at the time of contact, Native nations couldn’t even imagine such dishonesty.
RELATED: Native History: How Natives Got Railroaded By the Medicine Lodge Treaty
Today, oil companies are trying to force pipelines, fracking, and uranium mining onto reservation and treaty lands even as other areas already suffer oil spills. America needs to develop a truthfulness in their dealings and a sense of responsibility for their actions, not just with tribes, but with the whole world.

Prioritizing Who Is Paid Well For What
In today’s America, the most financially rewarding jobs are often paid to people in power. For those who work to benefit society, the pay is usually much less. Rather than seek personal power, ideally, Native politicians do what is best for the tribe. Self-serving actions are frowned upon. Success, wealth, and a rich life should not be measured by money.
Appreciation for Women
According to the Six Nations Traditional Women’s Council Fire, clan mothers traditionally held great influence in the well-being of their Clans and Nations. They have authority as life givers, as holders of the land, and a deep understanding of the price of war.
For humanity to see all sides of an issue, the woman’s perspective must be included in important decisions.

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