Effects of Colonization on North American Indians Since Europeans first set foot on North American soil in 1620, they have had a devastating effect on the native population. I will discuss the long-term effects of North American colonization on Native Americans, focusing on issues such as employment opportunities, environment, culture and traditions, health, and social justice. I'll start with the important issue of job opportunities. The Native American unemployment rate is a staggering 49%. The following reasons explain why the unemployment rate is so high. For starters, Native Americans have been depicted in the media (such as in movies) as primitive and hostile, when in reality it is quite the opposite. This created a negative image of Native Americans in American society which obviously decreased their chances of finding work. Another reason is the discriminatory issue, which doesn't happen as much now, but in the past, many employers were reluctant to hire a Native American because of their skin color, culture and beliefs. Additionally, most Native Americans have a much more cultural but diverse skill base, so they have not acquired most of the skills needed to work professionally in Western society. Native Americans have always had an immediate and dependent relationship with their surroundings. Before European contact, the pristine environment was used by Native Americans as a food source and as a traditional place of healing. They cultivated the land, were expert hunters and fishermen, skilled craftsmen, and created and sustained self-sustaining communities. All this happened centuries before the arrival of Europeans. As colonized......middle of paper......life but also take it.Today Native Americans are dying of diabetes, alcoholism, tuberculosis, suicide and other health problems at shocking rates. Compared to Anglo-Americans they have a much higher mortality rate and the situation is not improving. Native Americans are among the most disadvantaged and poor. They suffer the worst health conditions, receive fewer education and employment opportunities, are treated unfairly by society, their culture and traditions have been significantly ruined and their much-loved environment has been destroyed. This is the result of colonization, disease, and removal from their homeland by European settlers. It took only three centuries to destroy a culture that had existed for more than 20,000 years, and although many groups are attempting to regain their cultural identity, it will never be the same again