The Native American Tribal Structure

Native Americans were the original inhabitants of North America. When peoples from England and France came to America, they had interaction with the native tribes and eventually learned how to survive with the knowledge garnered from these tribes. As time went on, the emigrants gradually distanced themselves from the Native American societies in the quest for land ownership. What began as a necessary cooperative friendship eventually deteriorated as the various tribes realized that these new inhabitants desired ownership over cooperation. It's quite unfortunate that the emigrants came in such large numbers, so quickly and determined to force their European ways on the tribal peoples. If there had been more time for each contingent to learn from one another, history might have been altered.

Before this mass emigration, Native American tribes got along fairly well. The concept of land ownership was not part of their culture. Each tribe's survival was dependent on migrating on a seasonal basis. In winter, they moved their camps south, where conditions were most conducive to hunting and survival. When summer came, they moved north to cooler climes. When the pioneer emigrants began their relentless push west, these Europeans simply assumed that the land was theirs for the taking. This caused contentions and wars that eventually resulted in the decimation of the Native American culture.

No one seemed to take the time to analyze the native cultures. These original Americans had managed to survive and prosper for about 1500 years. The tribes consisted of several bands of peoples who had a highly socialized culture. Everyone was provided for and had a useful and productive place in society. Each tribe had a medicine man, or shaman, who provided for the medical needs of the people. The chief of a tribe was chosen by the people, based on his wisdom and experience as a leader. In a hierarchical structure, much like our Congress and Senate, Native American tribes had elders, who disseminated their experience for the common good. However, corruption was virtually unknown. If the warriors disagreed with the decisions of the elders, they were free to leave the tribe and form a new band under different rules. Even thieves and other undesirable personalities were tolerated in the tribe, albeit at the fringes of the camp. They were provided with food and enabled to survive.

Perhaps the greatest lesson we might have learned from the Native American form of governance is that a smaller group of people, with common interests, ultimately survived in such a way that all of the people were cared for, with no single member or family falling by the wayside in the interest of greed. Everything was shared. Because all of the members of the tribe knew one another, corruption rarely occurred.

In order to make America a better society, perhaps it would be beneficial to study this ancient form of governance and try to integrate some of the best points into our society today.

Summary

Native Americans have a very interesting culture and history. They survived for 1500 years without the benefit of land ownership. Tribes had a medicine man to help the sick and injured. Conflicts were resolved easily. Either the parties negotiated, or one of them left the tribe to form their own tribe with different rules. Everyone knew each other, so all were cared for. In a way, it was a perfect relationship and lesson on how people should work together for the greater good.

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