The discovery of gold in the west caused an immense migration during the last half of the nineteenth century. This migration caused Native Americans to be forced on to reservations, which was detrimental to their society. As a result of this relocation, Native Americans have faced and will continue to face many problems including alcoholism and suicide. Michael Dorris's novel, A Yellow Raft in Blue Water, explores these issues in Native Americans' lives.

The Native Americans easily assimilated the Americans' heavy drinking problems. They were already facing many problems due to being forced off their land. Drinking was a part of everyday life of Americans. Both business and government encouraged regular consumption of alcohol. Commenting on Americans' lifestyles, author William Unrau states, "Drunkenness was "everywhere prevalent, "and the quantity of spirits consumed was " scandalous" (2). Obviously, alcohol became a "necessity of life" to Americans. Alcohol was also involved in the typical Americans' workday. It was a persuasive incentive that kept workers blinded from the gloomy reality that they lived their day to day lives. Therefore, it is evident th

man" (9). It is clearly stated that the Native Americans forcefully inherited this habit due to their relationship with Americans.

Most of the Native Americans are unaware of the risks of drinking. Awhile ago the natives had no idea of the harmful dangers of drinking. Now many know the dangers of these liquors and continue to drink. Today they continue to drink for a number of reasons. One example is that over drinking over time has become a part of life. It also started to become spiritual for many tribes. Over these traits there is addiction. The Native Americans continued to drink because of addiction. It would help hide their problems while under the cast of the liquor. More than half of the Indian population is chemically dependent on alcohol. "Studies of American Indian drinking problems seem to indicate that Indians may have an especially severe problem with excessive drinking and alcoholism" (Waddell and Everett 183).

Furthermore, the depression leads to alcohol, which in few cases leads to suicide. David Lester, author of, Suicide in American Indians, notes, "A large portion of attempted and completed suicides occurred when the individual had been drinking" (21). This fatal combination, of depression and alcohol, is what leads a couple unfortunate natives to the taking of their own life. The suicide rate for American Indians in 1976 was nineteen and two tenths per one hundred thousand per year. Which is higher than whites with a rate of thirteen and three tenths. A study of ten depressed men and ten depressed women was taken in 1993. Twelve of the twenty suffered from a major depressive disorder at the same time in their lives, and four were diagnosed with having the disorder at the present time. All twenty of these people experienced drinking problems in their lives. Almost every Native American suffers from depression which is key for suicide. In Michael Dorris's novel, Christine abuses pharmaceutical drugs and alcohol. Christine also suffers from depression because of her constant struggles with poverty. These factors could easily lead to suicide. There are also cases with even more depression. For instance, multiple suicides can take place for a couple of reasons. One for example would be because of one Native American taking their life. This leaves loved ones feeling left behind and lonely.

It is clearly a state of living. Many of the natives died unaware from the risks of alcohol. During the days of Presidents Jefferson and Jackson, or Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur, there was no aware health risk upon fetal

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Approximate Word count = 1734
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)