Anyway, what you have stated is very true of the educational system in the US. I taught public school for 2 years before leaving and going into a different field, only to return to education (albeit, higher education, now). We do have a very rich and vibrant history here but we fail to teach it. Do I blame educators? Yes. Do I blame administators? Yes. Do I blame curriculum specialist? Yes. Do I blame parents? Yes. Do I blame Indians? YES! We all have a part in it. What I have learned as an educator and scholar is that we have a tendency as a nation not to want to deal with truths... things that have happend. It seems that if we neglect it and never mention it that it never happened and then we can erase it from our history. The same is true for foreign countries knowing about our History. This saddens me. What saddens me more, however, is that we, Indians, seem to be immune to it - like it does not exist. Passiveness is not always the best alternative, even though for many of us, this is a way of life.
As for terminology... again, ask. I use Native, Native American, American Indian or plainly, Indian interchangeably. Now, in the wave of political correctness (which is bullshit when you look at all the factors and agendas behind some things), if you want to truly be correct, then you address a person by his/her tribe. An Indian will gladly tell you what tribal affliation they are from and they might even share some more things with you that you did not ask, i.e., clan, family geneology, etc. - of course, if they feel they can trust you.
This post is wonderful and so accurately portrays much of what is occuring today. Here is some of my experience and beliefs.
My father is full blooded Sioux and Assiniboine Indian, and grew up on a reservation. I have a famous great-great-great grandfather (I can't quite remember how many greats!) and our family is honored every year in a Pow Wow. I am very proud of my heritage, and we have traditions, stories, customs that keep it alive. I have an Indian name that was given to me thru my Grandmother, who was the Matriarch in my family, thru visions, as do all my siblings. We have a family medicine bag, peace pipe, art and other items that have been passed down from father to son, now currently held by my dad, that museums have requested.
Sadly, my dad was one of the few of his siblings to make it off of the res. It's hard to explain to those not familiar with it, but it's almost like a separate world. I lived in Alaska for many years, and the tribes there refer to themselves as Native Indians, while it is generally accepted that those in the lower 48 are American Indians. You will often find the two divided on paperwork when stating your race. Alaskan tribes do not see Native American as an insult. Villages are extremely tight knit and remote, and many who leave to go to college or start a life elsewhere commit suicide. They are unable to relate outside of their community.
My grandmother was one of the children taken from her family as a child, punished for speaking her language, and shipped to a school here in Oregon. She could recall being given blankets infested with small pox, having her hair shaved off, and being told she was a filthy heathen. However, her generation was extremely proud and they came thru it in a way the younger generations today can not seem to.
Tribes have caused many of their own issues. Years ago when the federal government began paying for the land that was stolen thru illegal and broken contracts and treaties , they gave us a choice in how much of a blood connection allowed someone to be considered Indian. Out of desire for bigger cuts, the Indians agreed to set a limit. Today many marry outside of the tribe, which dilutes the connection, and the numbers of those who are considered Indian are dwindling. Alcoholism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, meth, among other social issues are all part of the destruction of our culture.
And, there are many Indians who are themselves very racist. My mother, who is Irish and Swedish, went thru hell with some of my dad's sisters, who did not consider her to be good enough because she was white. I have been chased on the reservation as a child because I did not look Indian. On the flip side, my sister, who has all the features, has experienced prejudism from those who dislike us.
However, one trait that is inherent wherever I go is pride. Despite everything, American Indians have hung onto their beliefs and culture. Those who grew up on the reservation tend to be reserved and quiet when off it. It's hard to get to know and understand them, which leaves the general public uneducated.