Appreciating Native American Struggles, Philosophy & Culture

November is American Indian Heritage (Native American) Month. Despite the existence of hundreds of different tribes of Native Americans in North America, they have a common philosophy that relates to their appreciation and respect for nature.

Here are some Native American pearls of wisdom:

• The Earth is our Mother, care for Her
  
• Honor all your relations
  
• Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit
  
• All life is sacred
  
• Treat all beings with respect
  
• Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more
  
• Do what needs to be done for the good of all
  
• Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each day
  
• Speak the truth but only for the good in others
  
• Follow the rhythms of Nature
  
• Enjoy life's journey, but leave no tracks

American Indian Heritage Month started out at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions made to our society by the first Americans. One of the original proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y.

Parker persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the "First Americans" and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.

In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations have been issued each year since 1994.

Using this fresh activity with CultureGrams, students will learn about the historical interactions between Native Americans and European settlers, as well as contemporary cultural clashes.

Pathfinder:

1. Access the CultureGrams States Edition.
   
   
2. Scan the left-hand side of each state report to locate Early History.
   The following states have the most Native American history coverage: Arizona; Colorado; Delaware; Florida; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Massachusetts; Montana; New Mexico; Oregon; Tennessee; and Utah.
   
   
3. Divide students into groups of four or five people. Assign each group to survey the early history sections of the States Edition. Instruct the students to look for patterns in the development of the "New World." The groups should look at sections dealing with Native American inhabitants, the interaction between Native Americans and whites, the exploration of the American frontier, etc.
   
   
4. Ask the groups to compile a list of the factors that generally led to conflict between Native American inhabitants and white explorers and settlers. These could include cultural and religious differences, common threats to survival, competing interests in land and natural resources, etc.
   
   
5. Assign students to write a paper describing what factors generally led to conflict between Native American inhabitants and white settlers.
   
   
6. The paper may also include information about a similar conflict today. For example, you might discuss Palestinian and Israeli claims to the same land or religious differences that influence the conflict in Northern Ireland.
   
   
7. Assign students to answer at least three of the following Essential Questions for Critical Thinking (you can create others):

• Was conflict between the settlers and Native American inevitable?
• What were the most serious impasses that provided the reasons for war?
• Why do most people have trouble accepting others who are different?
• How effective were the treaties between Native American tribes and the U.S Government?
• What would you have done to reduce the conflict between Native Americans and the settlers?
• What are some of the things that cause conflicts between students and their friends or family members that are similar to the conflicts between Native American and the settlers?