By Danette Rayom, July 14, 2024, 11:38 AM
Hi, my name is Danette Rayom. I’m a Native American girl, and today you’re about to get schooled on some common misconceptions about Native American people.
Misconception 1: We All Live in Teepees
One of the most pervasive myths is that all Native Americans live in teepees. Teepees were historically used primarily for travel. While my family owns one, we don’t live in it. We use it for camping and ceremonies, but our everyday living spaces are like anyone else’s.
Misconception 2: We Get Everything for Free
Another misconception is that Native Americans receive everything for free, including money and healthcare. This is far from the truth. We work for everything we get. If we truly had free healthcare, the rates of diabetes and heart disease wouldn’t be so high in our communities. My dad works hard to provide for us, just like any other family. The idea that we get free schooling isn’t accurate either. We must meet the same academic requirements as any other ethnicity and still need to apply for scholarships.
Misconception 3: We Don’t Pay Taxes
Some people think Native Americans don’t pay taxes, similar to the misconception about Donald Trump. However, we do pay taxes. The notion that we are benefiting massively from casino revenues is also misleading. Many of us don’t see any of this money, and some even lose money to casinos rather than profit from them.
Misconception 4: We All Wear Headdresses
Not all Native Americans wear headdresses. In fact, in some tribes, they aren’t worn at all. In my tribe, for example, we don’t wear headdresses and never have. For those tribes that do, headdresses must be earned, feather by feather. Buying a headdress would be disrespectful because it lacks the earned significance behind it.
Misconception 5: The Term “Redskin” Refers to Our Skin Color
The term “redskin” is highly offensive and doesn’t refer to the color of our skin. I’m not red, and neither are my people. The term actually originates from the practice of scalping Native Americans, with “redskin” referring to the blood on their faces. Using such a term is deeply disrespectful, and arguments to keep names like that in sports teams are equivalent to mocking our culture.
Misconception 6: We Are Not Human Beings
Finally, it’s important to recognize that we are human beings, just like everyone else. Having mascots or symbols that caricature our culture is offensive. We deserve the same respect and dignity as any other group of people.
These misconceptions are harmful and perpetuate false stereotypes about Native American people. By understanding the truth, we can move towards a more respectful and accurate representation of our diverse cultures and communities.
