Some of the traditions of Navite Americans are described in this book. For example: how a regular community was tied together. They all helped each other out, mainly family – but basically everybody was family. This tight-knit, communal structure was attempted to be eradicated when the whites came. In the book it is stated that the “traditions and customs [were] a barrier to what the white man called ‘progress’ and ‘civilization’.” (p. 13) The structure was changed into a “nuclear family”, where only immediate family members helped support each other. The Father and Mother would work to earn money and the grandparents would help take care of the children. The kids were, in a way restricted in their learning because they didn’t have the wealth of interactions they could have had otherwise. In the normal tradition a man was chosen (in a way like a godfather is chosen) who would take part in taking care of the children while teaching them things, like how to hunt. This second man would be also called Father, because he was so close to the family and its workings.
When the government intervened they did change their culture and the Christian religion was pushed on them. People accepted it because they believed it would help them, their family and their children to get a better life.
The intervention of traditional Native American communities was very detrimental to them. Following the ways of nuclear families disrupted the strong bonds many have with each other. Now gang activity seems to be a big part of youth culture and, obviously, very detrimental to the community.
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