Throughout my research on this subject, I infer that the Tohono O’odham tribe has been well taken care of since their losses since being annexed by the United States.  Prior to 1853, the Tohono O’odham tribe members lived in Southern Arizona and many in northern parts of Mexico.  This tribe, as well as many others, were quiet and kept to themselves. They were a peaceful group in comparison to their neighbors.  Then, in 1853, the United States annexed their lands away, in a trade known as the Gadsen Purchase.

Since the devastation this event caused, the Tohono O’odham tribe have been trying to build themselves back up from tragedy– including trying to regain ownership of some of their land.  A few of the articles explained how the tribe wanted to be isolated from all other federal/state authority within the state of Arizona.  This type of fight against the state is allowing the tribe to maintain parts of their tribal traditions.  However, the Tohono O’odham tribe fought to regain their way of life, and the United States government compensated them with a few freedoms that were taken from them back in 1853.  The government allotted a fund for the tribe to develop improved water storage and delivery systems, and agreed to supply them with a certain ration of water per year.  Also, they have agreed to give the tribe additional lands to promote a better-built environment for the members of the tribe.  I would agree that the government has compensated the tribe adequately for present times by granting them land, water, and resources similar to what they lost; given that the Gadsen Purchase was done over 100 years ago.

I do believe that the Tohono O’ odham have been adequately compensated for their losses by the United States for many different reasons. This event happened long ago and the fact that they were even compensated means a lot, because many things in our history went as a loss and were never compensated for. In this particular even the tribe had their land taken away from them during what many known as The Gadsden Purchase. This was a huge loss for them and they struggled for many years to try and recover. Although the United States did take these things away from them, later in time they did what was right and tried their best to give proper compensation for the natives. The U.S has made water funds for them, and has also given them more land that was taken away from them so long ago. They have given them more water rights which many people do not realize that this day in age water and land is still just as important, if not more. In my opinion they have been properly treated for what happened in the past, and it is shocking to me that it even happened. Imagine if everything that was taken from areas in our past had to be compensated it would be a total disaster of things because that is just the way our history was, its how things happened. I feel as though they should be extremely thankful for their compensation and happy about it.

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.