The Paleo-Indians

The wbsite I found focusses on the Paleo-Indians, the natives that were present in America at tge end of the ice age. Although the area
'...was the hunting ground of several tribes including the Osage, Delaware, Kickapoo, Shawnee, Piankashaw'
as well as others, the tribe that settled in the area of Missouri are often grouped together. the website claims that the native inhabitants camped and hunted alongside the Ozark Rivers since as long as 14,000 years ago.
'The Osage tribe was master of the area. (The Osage Indians were first recorded in 1673 by the French explorers Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette).' However 'The Osage Indians gave up their claim to most of the Ozark Plateau in a treaty with the federal government in 1808.'

The website's primary aim is to attract tourists to the area so that they can explore these lands and know more about the tribes that once lives there. Despite the fact that the website is very informative in the history of the previuos inhabitants, it is also very revealing. The tribes no longer live here so assuming that Native American;s are 'disappearing' from the USA's geopolitical landscape not being as big a part of America's identity as they used to be is not invalid. if they are not disappearing (either, from not being able to cope/survive with what they have access to, to live or by becoming 'urbanized'), it is evident that they are being pushed out of their origninal habitats that were previously spread all over the USA and concentrated into areas, such as mostly west of the Missisipi and predominantly in the state of Oklahoma.

The website also shows how Native American's have to an extent been influenced by modern, urban society. For example using a capitalist method (attracting tourists) to make a profit and benefit those in the area. Advertising available trips, shopping areas, events and entertainment and dining locations, the website is praying and relying on people's love of neophilia for tourists to visit and make the venture a success.

The fact however, that visiting a Native American's previous living location highlights another important point: if it is novel, then Native American's cannot be being currently viewed, not just nationally, but internationally as a conventional part of the US's identity and nation - at least not in the same way that white American's are. it seems that these peoples are endangered, not just of losing their homes, but of losing their ability to be conspicuous as well.

the very nature of this website displays the desperate measures the peoples are taking in order to be remembered and identified, as well as make a business that will enable them to be more financially stable.


Website: http://www.missouri-vacations.com/missouri-native-american-history/