Jul 10, 20204 min read

The Navajo Nation: The Pandemic’s Silent Victim

INCLUDES RESOURCES TO HELP

By Arya Hanumara

President/Social Effects Head/Co-Editor In Chief

The Fourth of July marks a time of celebration. Summer is at its peak, kids run around and toss footballs, hop in pools, and consume hundreds of bomb-pops, enough to stain their teeth for a week. The question raised at hand during this time is whether we, as Americans, truly have the right to celebrate our Independence. Something that often gets forgotten in this day of fireworks, and red, white, and blue mania, is the true meaning of “American.”

European immigrants built this country unrightfully on the stolen lands of indigenous people. Thanksgiving, a holiday commemorating the celebratory feast between the Plymouth Colonists and the Wampanoag Tribe, has turned into a highly commercialized practice of gratitude towards our families, friends, and, most importantly, our country. What is important to consider is whether our founding fathers were justified in creating a country on sacred land that belonged to the Native people? And now, we have the nerve to mass-deport thousands of immigrants, even after settling for years on a land taken forcefully away from its rightful inhabitants? After analyzing our country’s long history with members of the Native American community, there is still a very detrimental racial divide between the two parties.

Americans have spent decades reinforcing the history of abuse towards the Indigenous communities, and we have made no progress, whatsoever, in providing retribution towards the cause.

The practice of calling Native Americans “Indians” was brought about by Christopher Columbus, because of his belief that he had landed in the South Asian country. We understand now that this is a mistake, but it is still common practice to hear this term, in addition to the derogatory term “Injun” when discussing the various tribes and members of the community. Not only does this add an emphasis on the glorification of Columbus’s mistakes, but it continues to racially stigmatize Native Americans, allowing years of abuse to resurface in association with these names. Even foreign countries have adopted the idea of calling their indigenous people more respected and considerate titles. Canada, for instance, calls their indigenous people, “the Aborigional Peoples in Canada,” while Australia gives them the title of “The Torres Strait Islander people,” both of which have been approved by the numerous chiefs in a majority of the tribes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, various movements have acted as a test of America’s politically and culturally correct nature, and it is important to point out these structures of bias, both in our day to day interactions and in our ability to learn from others. Not only are Indigenous communities suffering from the effects of the pandemic, they are also being forced to question their position as a part of the United States of America.

The Navajo Nation, one of the largest communities of Indigenous people in the United States, is not actually not inherently more susceptible to the coronavirus. However, because of its lack of access to proper healthcare, clean water, and affordable food, its members are at a higher risk of developing complications. Years prior to the pandemic, The Navajo Nation struggled with underfunding and increasing rates of poverty. This not only reflects the economic frugality associated with the US government, as it is unwilling to aid members of the original inhabitants of its stolen lands, but it showcases the disregard many government officials have towards the traumatizing history of our nation's relationship with the Indigenous people.

The COVID-19 rates specifically in the Navajo Nation are not just alarming because of the systemic racism that has been halting its access to proper fundings for years, but also because of the shockingly low number of Native Americans who are dispersed around the country. There are only about 10 states in which are populated by Indigenous communities, and it is because of this small number that they are categorized as “other” on all demographics organized by race. According to Echo-Hawk, the small numbers a part of the community is due to the ongoing “genocide” caused by several members of American Legistalture.

It is also with the several layers of systemic racism embedded in our Society’s thickly weaved tapestry of conservatism, that should a Native American be tested positive for the virus, their treatment in a hospital will probably be inferior than one that white male would receive. The Center for Disease Control conducted research on race related maternity deaths, and did not even include members of Indigenous communities in their results. When the Urban Indian Health Institute decided to research the problem, they deduced that “Native Women were 4-5 times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than white women.”

With the coronavirus fiercely striking the Navajo Nation, sources also state that the United States is not including Native Americans in their racially-based demographics and tolls. This means that the US is not able to acknowledge their relationship with the Navajo Nation, and reinforces a history of shame, abuse, and neglect.

It is our duty as the new generation of Americans to continue to stand up against the injustices that face minorities in our Nation, regardless of our race and political values. We must continue to fight for a better world and push aside the years of institutionalized racism that many face on a day to day basis. Next year, when you’re about to watch those red, white, and blue fireworks, remember all of the indigenous people that were killed for you enjoy the independence of this country. Think about how you can make a difference, regardless of its size, and impact.