In light of the American history we will be learning this fall, we’re using this summer to learn a bit about Native Americans. Because I am originally from Oklahoma, I have always been fascinated with the Native American culture. Sadly, this is oftentimes left out of American history books and curriculum, or at times the history and culture is even misrepresented (and thus misunderstood). Even some of the e-books I’ve referenced in other posts sometimes refer to the Indians as savages, so it is only right if I provide resources that have been written by and for the Native American people.
Readings:
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- Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains by Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa): pdf | audio
- American Indians by Frederick Starr: pdf
- Listen to the poem Hiawatha’s Childhood (which is part of The Song of Hiawatha)
- The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: pdf | audio
- Geronimo’s Story of His Life by Geronimo pdf | audio
The dedication of this book by Geronimo reads as follows:Because he has given me permission to tell my story; because he has read that story and knows I try to speak the truth; because I believe that he is fair-minded and will cause my people to receive justice in the future; and because he is chief of a great people, I dedicate this story of my life to Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States.
Geronimo’s grave site in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma
For more details about Geronimo’s life, see our previous blog post on Geronimo.
- Picture Book: The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush. Complete this unit study.
- Chapter Book: Sign of the Beaver. Accompanying lapbook/unit study.
Activities:
Visit the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center to learn about the Comanche culture. Watch an on-line video of a Pow-Wow demonstration or discover the important role this tribe played in World War II. While there, you can download a free coloring book or even learn how to speak Comanche through the talking dictionary. See our previous post on the Comanche Codetalkers of WWII.
- Download The Indian Years, a coloring book that also includes a short history of Native Americans in Texas.
- Instructions for creating a rainstick, rattle, tepee, dreamcatcher, totem pole, or doll can be found at Enchanted Learning.
- Or make a Tom-Tom Drum that sounds really neat!
- Find out which Indian tribes have lived in your state on this interactive map.
- Learn about the Trail of Tears.
- Click here for additional Native American connections.
If you can, please join us in learning about the North American Indian. If you live near Oklahoma (or a place with other historical sites), we implore you to further discover this under-represented piece of U.S. history as you take a trip to a museum (click here for a list of Native American museums in the United States), or visit the Trail of Tears (click here for a map of the Trail of Tears), or attend a Pow-wow…
