Table of contentsWho are the Indians?ContemporaneityNative American cultural assimilation (Americanization)Life of Native Americans todayInfluence of the tourism industryImportance of tourism for Native Americans:Casinos and gamblingCommodificationSocial effectsPositive sides : Negative Sides: The Future of the IndiansWho are the Indians?The indigenous peoples of America, known as Indians, are the most numerous of the three, after the Inuit and the Aleuts, and at the same time the group of peoples most diverse natives, inhabiting both Americas. continents, tribes and groups of very different character and degree of development. In traditional anthropology, they are classified as the yellow race. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The first inhabitants of today's United States - the Indians - are believed to have come from Asia across the Bering Strait during the Ice Age. Initially, they settled in Alaska, then throughout the rest of America. The strong diversity of hundreds of American tribes and indigenous groups is also subject to processes: mutual penetration, standardization, globalization. Despite this, stereotypical images - usually simplified and distorted - of abstract and non-existent "Indians" persist in the common consciousness of non-Indian nations and societies. Native American Cultural Assimilation (Americanization) The cultural assimilation of Native Americans has continued from 1790 to 1920. George Washington and Henry Knox were the first to propose, in the American context, the cultural assimilation of Native Americans. They formulated a policy to encourage what is called the “civilization process.” As immigration from Europe increased, so did public support for education, encouraging most citizens to adhere to a standard set of cultural values ​​and practices. Education was considered the basic method of the acculturation process of minorities. Americanization assumed that each Native American learned the customs and values ​​of the United States, being able to combine tribal traditions and American culture. However, at the turn of the 20th century, the federal government banned traditional religious ceremonies. The government also established boarding schools for Native Americans that children attended. In these schools, they were required to speak English, study standard subjects, attend church and abandon tribal traditions. The Dawes Act of 1887, which allotted tribal lands entirely to individuals, was seen as a way to create individual homesteads for Native Americans. Land allotments were made in exchange for Native Americans becoming U.S. citizens and giving up certain forms of self-government and tribal institutions. Life of Native Americans Today The Indian community today faces major challenges, such as:, Little representation or recognition, Common health and mental issues, Ignorance. However, Native Americans, despite many challenges, still believe into a better future.Influence of the tourism industryTourism and prosperity are generally believed to go hand in hand. Wealthy tourists have a surplus of food, clothing, accommodation, travel and material goods. Tourism brings prosperity to host communities - boosting the local economy to create jobs and improving facilities and services for natives as they are made available to visitors. Importance of tourism for Native Americans: Tourism in the Indian world.