Appreciating Native American History

November is American Indian Heritage (Native American) Month. Native American history is replete with examples of how the American Indians were taken advantage of by westward-bound settlers and the U.S. government.

Numerous wars and broken treaties resulted in Native Americans losing their lands in exchange for government reservations. Reservations helped to destroy the lifestyle and culture of Native American tribes. This culture that evolved over many centuries included a unique philosophy of life that respected and worshipped nature as God.

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 for American Indian Day as the second Saturday of each May. 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.

Type "American Indian" in the Search box. The Results list will provide five Study Units for student choice: Native American Culture; Indian Wars in the early Republic; The subordination of American Indians and the dispersal of the tribes; Natives and Settlers in colonial America; and Indian Wars, 1860-1890.

Assign a variety of study units to students to create a three-minute oral or PowerPoint presentation. Each Study Unit provides resources for students to report on Famous Native American people, significant events, and the impact of these people and events on life and culture for Native American and for all citizens in American today.

Type "Native American Authors" in the Search box, then select one of the authors listed in the Results list. Assign students to answer the following essential questions:

1. Who is this author and why is he recognized for his works?
2. What are the themes of this author's works?
3. What is the most recognized work of this author and why?
4. Why aren't more literary works produced by Native Americans?

If more information is needed to answer any of the following essential questions, do a search in eLibrary.

The report should contain at least 150 words. Students can use this new model for their reports.

eLibrary CE BookCarts make it easy for teachers to assign research activities. Teachers can copy BookCarts on hundreds of topics that support curriculum, textbook, and state standards.

We've prepared one especially for American Indian Heritage Month: "Native American History and Heroes."

This BookCart includes examples of essential questions for critical thinking to help guide students in how to use the variety of resources included in the BookCart.

Pathfinder to ProQuest BookCarts:

1. Open our eLibrary Teacher Edition
   
   
2. Click BookCart Admin at the top right
   
   
3. Click the ProQuest Carts tab
   
   
4. Select the Ethnic Culture and Interests folder
   
   
5. Click the Copy icon for Native American History and Heroes
   
   
6. Return to My Local Carts
   
   
7. Click the BookCart Title to open the Editor
   
   
8. Delete "Copy of"
   
   
9. Add your name in the Author boxes
   
   
10. Save your new BookCart

PowerPoint presentations are becoming a popular way for students to present the conclusions of their research activity. ProQuest has created a student model template to help them organize and prepare this report, ensuring that it addresses essential questions and integrate critical thinking.