The social history of Native America
as a whole

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The history in general of Native America as a whole

Indigenous Women and traditional leadership

By Jack D. Forbes, The Circle, 30 September 1994. The minimal participation by women in decision making presents a great danger for the world because men, by themselves, are not wise enough or balanced enough. Traditional First American societies gave a very strong voice to women. Native Americans have provided key examples of how to develop democratic and caring societies.

Women's leadership is re-emerging in Indian Country

By Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez, UPS, 10 July 1998. Women provide balance; without the female nothing can be done. Lenora Fulton's run for president of the Navajo nation. While some tribes have elected female chiefs such as Cherokee Wilma Mankiller, others do not permit women to vote or to serve on tribal councils, some arguing that it goes against tradition.

Racism Thwarts Indigenous Rights, Says Menchu

By Diego Cevallos, IPS, 9 August 2000. There is not much to celebrate in the Americas on the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, because the fight for the rights of native peoples continues to run up against a racist culture, said Guatemalan Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchú. Deep down, government resistance to recognising the rights of indigenous peoples and to clearing the way for their development arises from racism and xenophobia, sentiments that are not wiped away by naming a world day in their honor.