Indian-Ed.org – This site houses resources, materials, lessons, and entire units to support the teaching of tribal sovereignty, tribal history, and current tribal issues within the context of OSPI recommended units for Washington and US history in the elementary and middle school levels and US history and Contemporary World Issues in the high school level. Each unit is aligned with National Common Core State Standards, state standards and builds toward the successful completion of a Content-Based Assessment, or CBA.
Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State – Required curriculum in Washington State, endorsed by all 29 federally recognized tribes.
Article: Five Ideas to Change Teaching about Thanksgiving, in Classrooms and at Home – “Specific strategies to help deepen your teaching and bring more meaningful content about Native Americans to your current education setting.” (from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
Article: The Impact of Words and Tips for Using Appropriate Terminology – Am I using the Right Word? – “When teaching about a particular tribe or nation, learning and using accurate terms specific to the community can prevent stereotypes and encourage cultural understanding and sensitivity among your students.” (from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
Article: Native educators say Thanksgiving lessons can be accurate, respectful, and still fun—here’s how – Suggestions and key takeaways of how to accurately and respectfully talk about Thanksgiving. (from the website NEA.org)
Article: Planting Truthful Seeds About Native Americans – “By not including contemporary Native peoples into any discussion of Native experiences, we are doing these populations and our students a huge disservice.” (from the website Teaching Tolerance)
Presenters:
Roger Fernandes – Roger does a lot of work in schools and tailors his presentations to young people. Children understand stories at one level and so he gives them access to stories that are easy to interpret. Native people call their stories the teachings as they are the fundamental way of teaching children. He likes them to be involved in the interpretive process. Elders have another level of understanding and bring a lot of wisdom and knowledge to any discussion so a strength that should be built on is the cross generational experience in storytelling. His audiences include community groups such as schools, libraries, parks departments, senior centers and open forum presentations that are geared towards a general audience. (from his website)
Ronn Wilson – Of Cedar and Salmon – Of Cedar and Salmon is a multimedia, multicultural, hands on, portable educational program designed to maximize student participation and involvement with the native art and cultures of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Ronn Wilson has been providing this unique serve in a variety of educational venues since 1977, Ronn presents assemblies, school programs, teacher workshops, in service events, campouts, inductions and more for Pacific northwest schools, YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Campfire, 4-H, and other civic and private organizations.
American Indian – Lists, links, news, information, and projects related to Native Americans.
American Indian Heritage Teaching Resources – Materials from the Smithsonian Institution, including audio and video clips, as well as art, science, history, and culture information.
American Indians – Several individuals who made a significant difference to others.
American Indians in Children’s Literature – Provides critical analysis of Indigenous peoples in children’s and young adult books.
American Indians of the Pacific Northwest Collection – Resources and information about Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest region.
Americans – exhibition by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, which includes sections titled:
- The Invention of Thanksgiving
- Queen of America
- The Removal Act
- The Indians Win
Birchbark Books – A bookstore with books by Native American authors and “informative, sensitive, honest and appropriate books on Native American subjects. History, fiction, memoir, language, poetry, children’s and young adult’s books—we have them and would love to share.”
Cradleboard Supplements – Native American lesson plans and resources.
Everyday Native – A resource for educators that shows native peoples both in the past AND present.
The Feast System – Adapted from “Indians of Washington State,” Dr. Willard Bill, Publication of the Office of Native Education, OSPI, Washington State – Discusses the traditional gatherings of the people of the Native tribes of Washington State.
Haudenosaunee Guide for Educators – This guide was written to help provide teachers with a better understanding of the Haudenosaunee. It was written by staff at the Museum in consultation with Haudenosaunee scholars and community members. (from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
Indigenous Read Alouds – A variety of read-aloud videos of books by and about indigenous peoples
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe – Information and links for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
Native American – Lists, links, news, information, and projects related to Native Americans.
Native American Groups – Lists, links, news, information, and projects related to Native American groups and tribes.
Native American Heritage Month – A rich variety of information, lessons, art, webinars and other resources. These resources are provided by multiple partners, including the Library of Congress, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian, and more.
Native American Heritage month (by PBS) – Through dance, family traditions, and music, these stories show the diversity and long history of Indigenous people across the United States. Celebrate the history, culture, and traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in a special collection of films, short stories, and resources from Public Television.
Native American Is Not a Costume – Culturally sensitive lessons and activities that share the continuance and creativity of Native American life and cultures.
Native Knowledge 360° Education Initiative – From the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, this site provides culturally sensitive resources, lesson plans, and more.
Native Land – A tool that shows the traditional lands of indigenous peoples around the world, including territories, languages, and treaties.
- NOTE from the site: This map does not represent or intend to represent official or legal boundaries of any Indigenous nations. To learn about definitive boundaries, contact the nations in question. Also, this map is not perfect — it is a work in progress with tons of contributions from the community. Please send us fixes if you find errors.
Nisqually Indian Tribe – The website of the Nisqually Tribe with information about their past, present, and future plans.
NMAI: Listening to Our Ancestors – Art of native life along the North Pacific Coast. Ceremonial and everyday objects created and used by 11 native communities that have lived in the Pacific Northwest.
Pocahontas Revealed – A nuanced and in-depth look at both the reality and myth surrounding the life of Pocahontas.
Puyallup Tribe: the story of our people – The website of the Puyallup Tribe with information about their past, present, and future plans.
Social Justice Books: American Indians – This list is by Debbie Reese of American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL). AICL provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children’s and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society.
Spokan Tribe of Indians – Information, poetry, myths and legends, and other resources related to the Spokan Tribe of Indians.
Steilacoom Tribe – The website and blog of the Steilacoom Tribe and the Steilacoom Tribal Cultural Center & Museum.
Stereotypes in Native American Language + Culture – A look at stereotypes and where they come from…and what we can do about them!
The Umatilla, Walla Walla, & Cayuse – Information on the Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Cayuse tribes that live near the Whitman Mission Historic site in Washington state.
We Shall Remain – From the award-winning PBS series American Experience comes We Shall Remain, a provocative multi-media project that establishes Native history as an essential part of American history.
Why Do The Foods We Eat Matter? – This online lesson provides perspectives from Native American community members, images, objects, and other sources to help students and teachers understand the efforts of Native Nations of the Pacific Northwest to protect and sustain salmon, water, and homelands.
