"Naming is the ability to evolve and change your Identity"
Although as many of their cultural values varied from tribe to tribe, one thing that all Native American cultures have in common is the value and meaning they associate with their names. Significance of naming: Depending on the the specific Native American Tribe, names can be derived from a number of different factors. The most important concept to understand when talking about this tradition is the fact that names continue to evolve throughout ones life. At birth names are typically drawn from nature and based off a specific trait of the newborn. As children grow older their name can be changed to better reflect themselves as a person. Names can be changed due to significant events, accomplishments or based on personality. The tradition of naming in Native American cultures creates a strong bond between the tribe, the individual, and nature. These unique varying names serve to inspire tribal members to be the best versions of themselves and to better connect with their environment. The ability to change ones name throughout their lifespan promotes freedom by taking away the burden and label a single name can impose.
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SITTING BULL |
Sitting Bull was a war hero of the Sioux tribes in their battle against the United States. At birth he was named Jumping Badger by his family but soon adapted the name Slow because of his quiet and deliberate demeanor. By the age of 14 after battling against a rival tribe, he was named Tatanka-lyotanka, Sitting Bull for his bravery. This name stuck with him throughout his life as Sitting Bull eventually became a military leader who lead the Sioux people into battle against the United States. In the Native American culture, names were a sacred tradition that helped to give one a true identity, a better sense of self.
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Names, Western Assimilation, and Freedom
The Native American culture was heavily impacted by western expansion during the late 1800s as the United States went to great lengths to assimilate Native Americans to western culture. This meant forcing Native Americans to learn and speak English, practice Christianity, and adapt new European names. European names, in contrast, held a vastly different meaning compared to Native American names. These names were derived for the most part from the Bible, and held meanings irrelevant to Native American culture. The government's two main reasons for forcing Native Americans to change names was one, to "civilize" Native Americans, and two, to allow for property to be passed down to future generations by surname. "Indian agents" were designated to different reservations to assign new surnames to Native Americans. The fact that the governments goal was to "civilize" Native Americans implied that the U.S viewed them as savage and untamed, when in reality Native Americans held rich traditions and values that were foreign to westerners. The governments motive behind this forced assimilation highlights the effect that changing ones name can have on freedom. By forcibly changing Native American names, the government restricted Native Americans freedom to embrace their culture and traditions.
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Examples of Native American name changes
"Indian Agents" that were sent to Native American reservations were responsible for assigning Native Americans new more "American" names. Some name changes included:
Lonely Bear to John Brown
Night Horse to Henry Lee Tyler
Yellow Calf to George Cadwell
On other reservations, the names of famous political figures were give to Native Americans. Name changes such as these took away the ability for Native Americans to express themselves through their culture and tradition. It forced them to change who they were as a person; took away their personal freedoms.
Lonely Bear to John Brown
Night Horse to Henry Lee Tyler
Yellow Calf to George Cadwell
On other reservations, the names of famous political figures were give to Native Americans. Name changes such as these took away the ability for Native Americans to express themselves through their culture and tradition. It forced them to change who they were as a person; took away their personal freedoms.
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Freedom, Names and Western culture
Children from the Quileute tribe were assigned biblical and historical names while attending special Native American boarding schools created by the U.S government. In a disturbing speech given by Richard Pratt, founder of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Pratt describes the main goal of assimilating Native Americans to western culture; "Kill the Indian, and save the man."
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"No one would deny that today freedom stands unchallenged as the supreme value of the Western world,"-Orlando Patterson. Orlando Patterson, a famous philosopher, broke down freedom into 3 main categories, personal, sovereignal, and civic. When it comes to Native Americans, they had their personal freedoms stripped from their as the Westerners changed their culture. Personal freedom as defined by Patterson, is the ability to act unrestrained and uncontrolled by others. Native Americans, for example the Quileute tribe were not able to practice these personal freedoms as they were forced into boarding schools, and assigned new names.
Sources:
1. Becky Little. "How Boarding Schools Tried to 'Kill the Indian.'" 2017. https://www.history.com/news/how-boarding-schools-tried-to-kill-the-indian-through-assimilation.
2. Rita Morena. "Sitting Bull Biography." 2018. https://www.biography.com/people/sitting-bull-9485326.
3. Patterson, Orlando. Freedom in the Making of Western Culture. Basic Books, 1991.
4. Legends of America. "The great Sioux Tribe." 2003. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-sioux/.
2. Rita Morena. "Sitting Bull Biography." 2018. https://www.biography.com/people/sitting-bull-9485326.
3. Patterson, Orlando. Freedom in the Making of Western Culture. Basic Books, 1991.
4. Legends of America. "The great Sioux Tribe." 2003. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-sioux/.