Reservation system

Definition

The reservation system refers to a policy and administrative framework established by the United States government that designates specific areas of land for Native American tribes. This system was intended to confine Native American populations to designated regions, often resulting in significant alterations to their traditional ways of life and kinship structures, which are central to their relational identity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The reservation system was primarily implemented in the 19th century, following the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which aimed to relocate tribes from their ancestral homelands.
2. Reservations were often established on land that was considered undesirable by non-Native settlers, leading to economic challenges for Native American communities.
3. This system disrupted traditional kinship networks as families were often separated or relocated far from their extended relatives.
4. Reservations serve as both a symbol of tribal identity and a physical space where cultural practices can be preserved despite historical oppression.
5. The modern-day implications of the reservation system include ongoing struggles for tribal sovereignty and the preservation of cultural identity amidst external pressures.

Review Questions

• How did the reservation system impact the traditional kinship structures of Native American tribes?
  • The reservation system significantly altered traditional kinship structures by forcibly relocating families and breaking apart extended family networks. Many tribes found themselves on reservations far from their ancestral lands, which led to disruptions in social bonds and community cohesion. This fragmentation affected not only family relationships but also the broader social fabric of tribal life, making it challenging for tribes to maintain their cultural practices centered around relational identity.
• In what ways does the reservation system reflect broader themes of sovereignty and cultural identity for Native American tribes?
  • The reservation system illustrates complex dynamics between sovereignty and cultural identity by highlighting how external governmental policies can undermine tribal self-governance. While reservations are intended to serve as a space for Native Americans to preserve their cultural identities, they also impose limitations on tribal sovereignty by restricting land use and governance. This tension continues to shape the relationships between Native American tribes and federal authorities, as tribes strive to assert their rights while navigating the constraints imposed by the reservation framework.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the reservation system on contemporary Native American communities, especially regarding cultural preservation and economic development.
  • The long-term consequences of the reservation system are profound, impacting both cultural preservation and economic development within contemporary Native American communities. The forced segregation onto reservations has led to unique cultural adaptations, allowing tribes to develop distinct identities while also grappling with challenges related to poverty and limited resources. Moreover, many tribes are now engaged in efforts to revitalize their languages and traditions, yet they face ongoing obstacles related to governance, land rights, and economic opportunities that have roots in the historical context of the reservation system.

Related terms

sovereignty: The authority of a tribe to govern itself and manage its own affairs, including cultural and political decisions.

land allotment: A policy that divided communal tribal lands into individual plots for Native Americans, often undermining traditional kinship systems and communal living.

cultural assimilation: The process through which Native Americans were pressured to adopt the customs and norms of Euro-American society, often at the expense of their own cultural practices and identity.