All of the most fascinating details of the history and culture of Native Americans, for kids, are brought into focus here: from their spiritual beliefs, artwork, and legends to harrowing accounts of the unfair policies, diseases, and battles that nearly wiped out Native Americans.
For thousands of years, the only inhabitants of our continent were various tribes of Native Americans, all of which had different languages and cultures but lived in harmony with nature. This all changed in 1492, when Europeans began arriving and seizing great tracts of land belonging to Native Americans; for kids, this unit offers a somber look at how this act, along with broken treaties, diseases, and wars, nearly wiped out Native Americans. Discriminatory policies and forced migration to reservations also played a role in killing off 95% of Native Americans; for kids disturbed by this fact, they will be heartened to know that in the last 30 years, the government’s treatment of Native Americans has been improving – but is it too little, too late?
Compelling accounts of Tecumseh and other heroic Native Americans, for kids, will give them a sense of the pride and perseverance that kept the tribes going. They will also be drawn in by descriptions of powwows and sacred religious practices, and learn about the crafts and clothing that distinguished each tribe. Kids will especially enjoy reading about the sports that Native Americans played – which, unsurprisingly, are played in sacred ways to honor the dead, build social ties, and train warriors. They’ll also be surprised to find out that modern-day lacrosse developed out of a game called “Little Brother of War,” and will probably want to try some of these games out themselves!
8 Topics in this unit
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A Land and Its People
Long ago, America was their land.
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History Since 1492
Suppose—just suppose—that beings from outer space have landed in your communit ...
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The Powwow
All is hushed. A single drum beats.
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Outstanding Native Americans
Native America has produced many outstanding individuals.
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The Iroquois Creation Myth
Generations of Native Americans have told stories and created poetry for every occasion in ...
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Spiritual Beliefs
A drummer sprinkles a few grains of tobacco on the drum as an offering.
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Native American Art
What could you create from a lump of clay or a buffalo hide?
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Games and Sports
For Native Americans, play is serious business.
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