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Native American GroupsThe people we have come to know as American Indians or NativeAmericans came to the North American continent from Northeast Asia by wayof the Bering Strait. Most historians and scientists agree these people begantheir migration before 30,000 BC and were the Americas first inhabitants. Yet ittook less than 200 years for European settlers to decimate these natives. In time,however, organizations like the American Indian Movement (AIM) pressured thefederal government to take action. Finally, a series of laws were passed in the1970s to promote the welfare of the Native Americans. These acts encouragetribes to set up and govern their own communities, health care, housing, lawenforcement, and schools. They also provide funding for teachers, counselors,and educational materials, like computers.Native Americans still face manyhardships, but one statistic in particularmay reflect a hopeful future. The 1890U.S. census recorded just over 200,000Native Americans. The 1990 census showsa Native American population of close to twomillion. Many experts believe these to be the highestfigures since European colonization.Critical Thinking Question Although Native Americans no longer have to live onreservations, about one-third of the population still does. What would be someof the advantages of staying on a reservation? What would be some of thedisadvantages? For more information on Native American Groups, visitubpl.glencoe.com or your local library.Example 5. Todd was jogging after dark and noticed a housewith a partly opened window. He raised the window farther,climbed inside, and stole expensive shoes. A neighbor saw Toddleaving and called the police, who arrested him nearby andcharged him with burglary. Applying the common law definition,a court could not find Todd guilty because there was nobreaking—the window of entry was open. However, most statestatutes now say that a breaking has occurred even when someoneraises a partially opened window.Chapter 3: Criminal Law 67