Teaching about Indians? Use the real stuff!

Teaching Pre K-8, Oct 1994 by Feldkamp-Price, Betsy, Smith, David Lee

Producing a lesson about Native Americans may seem easy, but in fact, it's just the opposite. It can be one of the most challenging teaching endeavors.

Why? Because much of what children know about Indians is based on movie and television stereotypes that often misrepresent Indian life. Also, children think Indians lived only in the past and on the Plains. In fact, this lifestyle only represents a very small part of how Indian people lived. Finally, it's difficult to find resourcesbook, pictures and films--that haven't been affected by stereotypes and misinformation.

Below are some suggestions for teaching about Native Americans. Step one is a big step, but once you take it, you'll find that you've begun a fulfilling lifelong pursuit.

1. Learn more about Indians. But don't pick the topic, "Indians." There are an estimated 260 Nations in the United States today, and each tribe is as different as the French are from the English. To begin, browse through The Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes (Facts on File, 1987) by Carl Waldman and pick one tribe that interests you. It's best to pick a tribe that still resides or has lived in the area where you teach.

Find out where that tribe is presently located. The book Indian American: A Traveler's Companion (John Muir, 1990) by Eagle Walking Turtle should help you track down the headquarters. Now you have an excellent resource. Most tribes have historians who can suggest books to read, activities to do and places to visit.

2. Confront misconceptions. Misconceptions are so entrenched in children's thinking that they must be dealt with directly.

Start by asking students to draw a picture of an Indian child at home. Most children will draw a picture of a tepee, horse, totem pole, bow and arrow, or a child wearing a headband or a war bonnet. These are the most common misconceptions children have about Indian lifestyles.

Here are some facts you can use to correct their impressions:

* Large tepees were only used on the Plains after Europeans introduced horses. The National Geographic Society has a poster that shows some common Indian dwellings (poster #02816).

* The headband was widely used, but for many Indians, it was just a way to keep hair out of their eyes, not an important part of traditional dress.

* The war bonnet was worn by some tribes, but Hollywood greatly enhanced its importance.

* The totem pole belonged to the Northwest Coast Indians.

* The bow and arrow was a new weapon, and, although used, it was not the most important tool for getting meat for the family. It wasn't widely used for hunting until Indian tribes were pushed into the Plains. There, it was very effective for hunting the disappearing buffalo. Indian people ate a wide variety of animals and, hence, used a wide variety of tools. The Survival Skills of the North American Indians (Chicago Review Press, 1984) by Peter Goodchild shows many of the tools and explains how they were used.

3. Do some real Indian crafts. Two areas of caution here: First, don't have the children dress like Indians. This usually creates more misconceptions, and the results can be psychologically harmful and disrespectful to Indian children you may have in your school. But, it is okay for the children to wear the crafts they make.

Secondly, use real materials. Indian crafts can seem primitive until the children try to make them. Children will learn more about Indian lifestyle from the process of making their crafts than they will wearing trinkets made from macaroni or paper. They'll also learn respect for the skill of the craftsperson who used far less sophisticated tools.

Eagle View Publishing has many craft books that can be adapted to the age group you teach. Eaglecrafts is a craft material mail order house that stocks supplies at reasonable prices (168 12th St., Ogden, UT 84404; 801-393-3991). Many supplies can also be purchased in regular craft stores.

4. Indian foods. Corn is an amazing plant; it can grow in different environments, so it was a staple for many tribes. There are lots of recipes that can be easily made in your classroom and shared with the children. The Cherokee Press (2806 Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, AZ, 35661; 800-262-2598) has many books that have corn recipes. Corn Recipes from the Indians and Cherokee Cooklore to Make My Bread are wonderful.

Fry bread has replaced corn bread as a traditional food for many Indian gatherings. The Navajo Hogan (447 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84109; 801-466-2860) sells kits for those who would like to make fry bread. There is a choice of white flour, blue corn flour and whole wheat flour.

5. Play games. Games of the North American Indians (Dover Publications, 1975) has many games that are easy to play with children. Most of the equipment or playing pieces can be made from natural materials, such as green twigs, peach pits and sticks. Some of the games use phalanges (finger bones) of deer, but you can use chicken leg bones. Bird bones are already hollow so the children don't have to drill holes.