Volume 4, No. 3 (Fall 2001) -- Native American Issue
Teacher Talk
Appropriate Methods For Teaching About Native American Peoples
From the Ableza Institute http://www.ableza.org/
Understand the term "Native American" includes all peoples indigenous to the Western Hemisphere.
Present Native American people as appropriate role models to children.
Native American students should not be singled out and asked to describe their families’ traditions or their culture.
Avoid the assumption there are no Native American students in your class.
Use books and materials which are written and illustrated by Native American people: speeches, songs, poems, and writings, which show the linguistic skill of a people who have come from an oral tradition.
When teaching ABC’s, avoid "I is for Indian" and "E is for Eskimo."
Avoid rhymes or songs that use Native Americans as counting devices, i.e. "One little, two little, three ..."
Research the traditions and histories, oral and written, of Native Americans before attempting to teach these.
Avoid referring to or using materials which depict Native Americans as savages, primitives, "The Noble Savage," "Red Man," "simple," or "extinct."
Present Native American Peoples as having unique, separate, and distinct cultures, languages, beliefs, traditions, and customs.
Avoid materials that use non-Native Americans or other characters dressed as "Indians."
Avoid craft activities that trivialize Native American dress, dance, and beliefs, i.e. toilet-paper roll kachinas, paper bag and construction paper costumes and headdresses. Research authentic methods and have the proper materials.
Realize that many songs, dances, legends, and ceremonies of Native American Peoples are considered sacred and should not be portrayed as an activity.
If your educational institution employs images or references to Native American peoples as mascots, i.e. Redskins. Urge your administration to abandon these offensive names.
Correct and guide children when they "war whoop" or employ any other stereotypical mannerisms.
Depict Native American peoples, past and present, as heroes who are defending their people, rights, and lands.
Avoid phases and wording such as massacre, victory, and conquest which distort facts and history.
Teach Native American history as a regular part of American History. Avoid materials which illustrate Native American heroes as only those who helped Euro-Americans, i.e. Thanksgiving.
Use materials and texts which outline the continuity of Native American societies from past to present.
Use materials that show respect and understanding of the sophistication and complexities of Native American societies. Understand and impart that the spiritual beliefs of Native American peoples are not "superstitions" or "heathen."
Invite a Native American guest speaker/presenter to your class or for a school assembly. Contact a local Native American organization or your library for a list of these resources. Offer an honorarium or gift to those who visit your school.
Avoid the assumption that a Native American person knows everything about all Native Americans.
Use materials that show the value Native American Peoples place on our elders, children, and women. Avoid offensive terms such as papoose and squaw. Use respectful language.
Understand that not all Native American Peoples have "Indian" surnames, but familiar European and Hispanic names as well.
Help children understand Native American Peoples have a wide variety of physical features, attributes and value as do people of all cultures and races.
Most of all, teach children about Native Americans in a manner that you would like used to depict your culture and racial/ethnic origin.
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Created: January 6, 2002.
URL: http://brownvboard.org/brwnqurt/04-3/04-3e.htm
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