Interview with Eva Mari Garroutte on Religiosity and spirituality in two American Indian populations, by Eva Garroutte

Abstract

Our findings suggest that there is a great deal of religious belief on the reservations we surveyed. It's especially noteworthy that at least half the respondents in both tribes described traditional, tribal beliefs as very important. Tribal spiritualities have been overtly oppressed from European contact into recent times. Related practices, such as dances and giveaways, were even made illegal in the late 19th century under the federal government's 'Indian Religious Crimes Code' and punishable by imprisonment. It was only in 1978 that the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed to guarantee people's right to traditional, tribal belief and practice. So the fact that so many people today indicate that they still maintain their tribal beliefs is pretty amazing.