Why Study American Indian Heritage?

November is American Indian Heritage (Native American) Month. Most Americans are not familiar with Native American history and struggles except for the many movies that were made about the settlement of the West. Generally, these movies portrayed the American Indian as a savage because of the many conflicts and wars that resulted from them in the period of the mid-1860s up to the 1880s.

The American Indian way of life was eroded or taken away from them directly by settlers and the policies of the U.S. government. This left them no real choice other than to react in kind--with similar violence.

Contrast that with the ideals and philosophy that were part of the culture of the American Indians for centuries before the arrival of the White Man.

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

Assign students to research and report on a variety of subtopics that relate to American Indians (Native Americans).

Pathfinder: Conduct a subject heading search for "Indians of North America."

Here are some examples of the variety of subjects available within this collection: Agriculture; Art (See: Indian art); Business enterprises (See: Indian business enterprises); Civil rights; Culture; Education; Folklore; Food; History; Languages; Religion; Reservations (See: Indian reservations); Rites and ceremonies; Social life and customs; and Treatment of.

Teachers should assign a different topic from the list above to different students. Students should prepare a two-minute oral report (or PowerPoint) that uses information from at least two resources. These reports are an opportunity for students to practice presentation skills and to share their new knowledge and ideas with each other.

Each report should address the following essential questions (teachers may want to create others):

• What are some of the unique economic and cultural experiences of Native Americans?
• What is the most important contribution of Native Americans and why?
• What are some indicators of progress for Native Americans since the Civil Rights laws of the 1960s?
• What is the most important support that the federal and state governments can provide to increase the quality of life for Native Americans and why?

Here are some new links to ProQuest models that students can use for their PowerPoint reports, including our Engaging Issues and Essential Questions templates, and our Written Models Mini-Research Guide.