The removal of Native Americans was a tragedy felt by thousands as they were forced to give up not only their land but most of their culture as well. The natives were forced to abandon many traditions they had passed down for generations in order to adjust to the life the government wanted them to live. Native Americans continue to feel the effect of this event today. Their communities have been economically depressed for a long time. There are numerous accounts that assist this idea including Junior Spirit recognizing and explaining the hardships his family has gone through as a result of this movement. In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, the loss of native land produced many devastating effects on the …show more content…
Soon after Junior’s grandmother passes away, his dad’s friend, Eugene, dies as well. Junior insists “We Indians have LOST EVERYTHING. We lost our native land, we lost our languages, we lost our songs and dances. We lost each other. We only know how to lose and be lost” (Alexie 173). Junior becomes so angry because he knows more people will die. He is so accustomed to having things taken away from him that he knows this will happen again. Junior implies more customs and traditions will be attempted to be taken away from him because it already happens so often. The loss of native land has caused the loss of many rituals and practices as well.
In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the loss of native land has shown to have devastating affects on the Native American community. However, Junior has been able to persevere through the hardships and carve a path to a successful life. He has always known what he needed in order for his future to be bright. He has held onto the small things that he is able to control and make the most of them. Even though the loss of his native land has taken a large toll on his community, he will not let that hold him back from being