Throughout U.S. history, Americans treated Native Americans as unequals and imposed suffering on Native American tribes. Events such as the Trail of Tears, the Sand Creek Massacre, and the Navajo Long Walk, to name a few, will forever remain a dark moment in American history. When Europeans arrived, the Native American population was estimated to be between five and fifteen million, with liberals preferring the higher estimates and conservatives the lower estimates. Today, the population of Native Americans in the United States is estimated at two million, according to the census. The number of Native Americans fell to nearly 250,000 by the end of the 19th century. Population loss and the treatment of Native Americans should be discussed more throughout high school and college courses, to ensure that this treatment does not happen to any other race. It is a miracle that the number of Native Americans has reached nearly two million since then. the near extinction of the Native American race at the end of the 19th century. Today, India's population is growing at a rapid pace. The article titled The Popularity of Being Indian: A New Trend in Contemporary American Society, written by Vine Deloria, Jr. in 1984, describes the increase in Native American populations in more detail. The article suggests a different view of this increase, not that it is a remarkable increase in the birth rate in India, but rather a new social phenomenon. During the 1970s, a new perspective emerged, as Vine Deloria Jr. suggests: "the establishment of Indian ancestry as proof of respectability and acceptance in American life replaced the old concept of American respectability ... middle of paper. ......It is difficult for Native Americans to overcome racial barriers. Overall, the Native American population has increased significantly since the late 19th century. Much of this population increase can be attributed to greater self-identification within Native American tribes. However, even with the increase in population, Native Americans are still suffering in the 21st century. The United States government must stand up and take greater responsibility for the responsibilities that have been demonstrated. One of the United States government's only apologies occurred on September 8, 2000. The chairmen of the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs formally apologized for the agency's participation in the "ethical cleansing" of Western tribes. . However, this is not enough as Native Americans are still suffering, more must be done to ensure humanity within Native American tribes..