I often offer this speculation in regards to the Native Americans: what do you think would have happened if it were Genghis Khan or Tamerlane who had come here instead of Columbus?
I think of it this way.
Why was the nomadic nature worshiping Amerindian given so much credit for living at one with nature and being enlightened - while the nomadic nature worshiping Mongol is given so little credit for living at one with nature and being enlightened?