After researching the Tohono O’odham tribe and how the United States seized their lands in Arizona, and parts of New Mexico it is hard to be proud as a US citizen. This tribe, for the most part, minded their own business. But this peaceful tribe just happened to reside in a area that both Mexico and the United States were fighting for. In in the early 1800’s O’odham fell to Mexican rule.

In 1853, through the Gadsden Purchase, the United States purchased some of this area from Mexico, making O’odham land divided. At this time in America, the development of mining and transcontinental railroads was increasing at a rapid rate. Resulting in the loss of the tribes land to the US.

In more recent years of the Gadsden Purchase, the Tohono O’odham tribe has attempted to get ownership of their native lands back. The US government did not want to fulfill their wishes because it would include separating from all federal/state authority. However the government did provide the tribe with better water storage and delivery systems, under the condition that they will only use a certain amount per year. They have also given some of the land back to the tribe that was previously lost to promote a better environment for the Tohono O’odham people.

I believe that the government has tried very hard to provide compensation to the Tohono O’odham people for what was taken from them. But these people were conquered by a bigger and stronger nation that wanted their lands. The tribe never wanted to be part of the United States. I believe that if the government wanted to make up for what happened to these people, they should give them back what is rightfully theirs and leave them alone. But the US government has to have their hand in everything and refuses to loose any source of power.