Most Modern American Indians
For us, May 9 is, of course, first of all the day of the Great Victory. But this is not the only holiday celebrated in the world on this day. For example, in the United States, May 9th is Indian Day. How do Indians live in modern America?
American Indians have achieved a lot by asserting their rights to land and a full role in society. But, due to the long extermination of Native Americans, the integrity of their culture suffered. Today, the Indians are trying with all their might to preserve and revive their traditions and language. The older generation is struggling to ensure that their children and grandchildren can combine the modern way of life and the cultural traditions of their people.
The Indians are very well aware of their spiritual connection with their ancestors, they turn to them for help and support. For the Indians, there is no death of an individual: the ancestors live in them, and they will continue to live in the descendants.
(Total 19 photos)
1. One of the traditions of the Indians is the meeting of different tribes once a year at the Pow Wow festival, during which representatives of each tribe sit in a circle and sing an intertribal song. Pictured: St. Paul, Minnesota guys during the annual Ki-Yo Pow-Wow at a Montana university in Missoula, Montana.
2. While parents are busy with their own affairs during the Crow Tribe Fair, young Indians have fun by diving into the Little Bighorn River, near which in 1876. there was a legendary battle between the Indians and the US cavalry. The battle ended with the Indians destroying 5 companies of the American regiment that attacked them.
3. Even young Indians can handle horses easily. Pictured: Young tribal members bathe horses in the Little Bighorn River during the Crow Fair in Crow Agkensee, Montana.
4. The groundbreaking site of one of the buildings of the university, which will be engaged in the study of the culture of the indigenous peoples of America, is illuminated in a local way and sprinkled with tobacco.
5. Shamanism and toteism remained only among the tribes that live in inaccessible areas of the United States. Currently, Catholics, Mormons, Adventists and Pentecostals are more common among Indian believers. Pictured: Janice Singer during a Pentecostal service on the Raven Reservation.
6. The total number of Native Americans according to the data at the beginning of the 21st century exceeds 60 million people, which is not so small. But meeting fellow tribesmen on the road can still be considered an occasion to stop and talk. Photo: Clinton Bird takes out a cigarette to treat his friend Courtney Stewart and discuss the new auto body repair center in their area.
7. The nature of Indian reservations is very picturesque. It seems that the landscapes have remained the same as they were before the arrival of the white man. Pictured: Tribal horses near the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
8. From generation to generation, the art of making national clothes of the Indian people is passed on. Pictured: Revonna Joy Alamo waits to be taken back to camp after the fairground parade.
9. To preserve the language, some subjects at school may be taught to children in Indian. Pictured: A student at a language immersion school during a class in Arly, Montana.
10. Traditional dance competitions, costumes and various competitions at the fair during the Pow Wow holiday help to preserve the cultural heritage of the Indians. Pictured: Young dancers lined up waiting for their dances to be judged during the Kii-Yo Pow-Wow celebration.
11. For children, such contests and dressing up make a huge impression and bring a lot of joy. Pictured: Jaylene Keough and Anton Rydz Horse ("The Rider") after the parade at the Raven Fair.
12. And mothers are ready to try their best for their children. And in the costumes of little Indians there can be a lot of handiwork. Pictured: Bobbie Sox, Sliding on Ice, prepares her grandson for the parade.
13. The fair rodeo is an exciting spectacle in which only real daredevils decide to participate. In the photo: Bull threw Mysio Flores off his back during a rodeo fair, barely jumping out of the gate.
14. A festive table, even among the Indians, is the fate of the fair sex. While Indian and not so Indian dishes are being prepared, there is an opportunity to start a female conversation.
15. The Indians are not at all going to give up everything new that modern society can provide them. Pictured: Mae Big Man, 6, listens to music and plays with a doll on her front porch, while her sister learns cross stitch patterns in Nardin, Montana.
16. And their main advantage is the ability to maintain family and friendly ties, traditions and rituals in the modern bustling world. Pictured: Scot Russell's families, friends, and clansmen gathered for a celebration at the Crow Agency during the Tribal Chief Election, Montana.
17. There are law enforcement officers on reservations who are paid by Indian tribes. Pictured: Police Officer Clavin Harrera checks a car parked on the side of the road outside Lodge Grass, Montana.
18. Pupils of the Crow Reservation High School take part in a running competition. Missoula, Montana.
19. Endurance and inner strength and the ability to feel an inner connection with one's family, which is brought up in young Indians from childhood, helps them to perform successfully not only in classical, but also in modern sports. Pictured: Nicholas Barrera and Tim Lucero at a local skate park in Billings, Montana.