AMERICAN INDIANS

Chapter 4
Edu 280
Karolynn Smith and Wendy Murillo

A LITTLE CULTURE

Hunters, Warriors and Shamans

Maintaining Culture through Art
Nature and Animals
Totem Poles and Dream Catchers

AMERICAN INDIAN RELIGION

Adapt their myths, views, and
traditions to suit changes within the
tribe.
See other religions as different, not
wrong.
Not every tribe follows the same
religion

Vision Quests are a very important part of their religious culture.

Shaman or medicine men were considered exceptionally important.

THE GREAT SPIRIT

A quote from the Osage Indian tribe really sums this up nicely:

All life is wakan. So also is everything which exhibits power, whether

in action, as the winds and drifting clouds, or in passive endurance, as
the boulder by the wayside. For even the commonest sticks and stones
have a spiritual essence which must be reverenced as a manifestation
of the all-pervading mysterious power that fills the universe.

CONTRASTING VALUES

Native American
(Traditional Indian Values)
GROUP(take care of the PEOPLE)

Non-Indian
(Dominant Society Values)
SELF( take care of #1)
PREPARE FOR TOMORROW

TODAYis a Good Day!

TIME (use EVERY minute)

ARIGHT time/RIGHTplace

YOUTH(rich, young, beautiful)

AGE(knowledge-wisdom)

COMPETE!

COOPERATE
BePATIENT
LISTEN(and you'll learn)
GIVEand share
Live inHARMONY(with all things)

Learn to be AGGRESSIVE
SPEAK UP
TAKEand save
CONQUERNature

Great MYSTERY/intuitive

SKEPTICAL/Logical

HUMILITY

(Ego)SELFattention

ASPIRITUALLife

Religion(aPARTof life)

ESSAY QUESTION # 1
FORMULATE A PLAN FOR YOURSELF, A TEACHER IN A PREDOMINANTLY AMERICAN INDIAN CLASSROOM

WHAT

PROCEDURES/TOOL/ISSUES WOULD YOU UTILIZE IN EFFECTIVE PLANNING EFFECTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR

LEARNERS

Be aware of their background,

knowledge, and experiences.
Get to know each student. Trust is
an integral part of the relationship.
One-to-one help.
When teaching concepts use
examples that are relevant to their
lifestyles and/or communities.

Teach by demonstration and observation.

In the beginning have them work in small groups and slowly bring the
small groups together into a larger group.

Teachers need to make sure students understand when concepts are

being taught by asking questions. This allows for feedback before
introducing a new concept.

 Some individuals may not be direct

when they ask questions This may
be because they do not want to
appear pushy, persistent, or
demanding.
Allow wait-time for responses
Use praise and incentives but only if
given one-on-one.

Be aware of body language. Become aware of their comfort level.

The preferred classroom arrangement, if desks are used , is circular.
Allow space for freedom of movement and group activities.

Hidden America: Children of the plains

ESSAY QUESTION #4

HOW CAN YOU DIRECT YOUR PERCEPTIONS AND THAT OF YOUR COLLEAGUES
TOWARD A MORE POSITIVE VIEWPOINT?

Avoid stereotyping and discriminatory

practices (slow learners, etc)
Do not oversimplify or ignore individual
differences
Focus on the resilience of the American
Indian youth
Always remember that every student has the
ability to learn, no matter what their
background is.
It is important to get to know the student.
Focus on the future

Native American students

ESSAY QUESTION # 3

IF YOU WERE TO BE EVALUATED AS AN EDUCATOR IN A SYSTEM THAT HAD 50 PERCENT AMERICAN INDIANS
AND 50 PERCENT EUROPEAN AMERICANS, WHICH PARTICULAR CULTURE WOULD YOU PREFER BEING YOUR
EVALUATOR? WHY ?

SOURCES
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2536601274.html
https://youtu.be/IJapHc7B8Xs
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ858583.pdf
http://literacynet.org/lp/namericans/values.html
http://tribaldirectory.com/information/native-american-culture.html