The Cherokee Indians and the Internet - Ellen L. Arnold and Darcy C. Plymire

Recap: Arnold and Plymire talk about the Cherokee Indians and how through the history of each tribe, they have come to establish their own web sites. Each tribe has a slightly different agenda for the use of the internet and the information made available there in. They briefly describe the plight of the Cherokee from a historical standpoint and how that has played into what each tribe does with their current situation. They cover both sides of the issue about how the internet will either help or disseminate them further from their cultural background. For example, further absorption into white-euro life styles, etc.

Comments: having recently studied Native Americans, I have a different perspective on how they have been treated and what needs to be done to help them better. If the Native American tribes can become sovereign nations then they would have more power to do what they wanted and end up being treated as equals with whites. Now this is a long shot at best right now, especially with the right wing control of our government, for the Indian Nations to become independent states or actual nations. The later being the best option. I am glad to see that the Cherokee have made the use of the internet a part of their current culture. If the new generations are not technologically informed, then it would only further the absorption of their lifestyles into the mainstream American culture. The Internet gives all Native Americans the chance to tell their story and tell it the way they want and not have to deal with editors and other people involved in publishing information through traditional methods. More power to them to use the Internet and gain larger successes for each tribal group.