American Indian (Native American) Heritage Month
November is American Indian (Native American) Heritage Month - a particular time to study, celebrate and honor the courageous struggles and lasting wisdom of indigenous peoples. We encourage each and every one of you to create learning opportunities that will enrich the understanding that students of Native American background have for their heritage while enlightening all students about the wealth of contributions made by Native Americans.
As the great Lakota Chief Sitting Bull, said: "Let us put our heads together to see what life we can make for our children." You will find the resource links below useful not only during American Indian Heritage Month but throughout the year as well. For more information, contact Linda Keway, MEA headquarters, Professional Development/Human Rights consultant, 800/292-1934, ext. 6217.
American Indian/Alaska Native Education Resources:
Use
of American Indian Mascots, Nicknames, and Logos -
MEA Resolution adopted at 2003 Fall RA
The Problem with "Indian" Mascots and Logos
Teacher Guides and Information
Additional Resources and Organizations
Rethinking Columbus
Native people, as well as many other enlightened individuals, have struggled to get people to ‘rethink Columbus.’ Our mission is to replace the history of Columbus with a more honest sense of who we are and why we are here – and to look more closely at the courageous struggles and lasting wisdom of indigenous peoples.
Rethinking Columbus is a Rethinking Schools publication. It is comprised of essays, poems, interviews, historical vignettes, and lesson plans reevaluating the history of Columbus and issues of indigenous rights. Rethinking Columbus is packed with useful teaching ideas for kindergarten through college. Read more.
"Land, Lives and Legends: People of the 3 Fires"
You and your students can celebrate the culture and legacy of the Anishinabe people who became the Ojibway, Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes of Michigan. This Detroit Free Press Newspapers in Education program for Grades 4-8 chronicles the traditions of the Native Americans who lived and traveled through Detroit and Michigan. Originally produced in collaboration with the Detroit Historical Museum for the Detroit 300 celebration, this reissued unit will help your class learn about the exciting art, dance, history and current critical issues of Michigan Indian people. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Ford Motor Company, this FREE program includes:
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One class set-equal to your daily newspaper order-of the 24-page student section "Land, Lives and Legends: People of the 3 Fires"One 12-page newspaper-based teacher guide correlating to the Michigan Curriculum Framework.Full-color classroom poster
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Four deliveries of 25 or more copies of the Detroit Free Press
Questions or phone orders:
313/222-6411 or 800/678-0789
For fastest results fax to 313/223-4278
Order online at www.dnie.com
Mail to: DNIE, P.O. Box 310163, Detroit, MI 48231
Updated: February 12, 2009 4:28 PM
Professional
Development
& Human Rights Department
1216 Kendale Blvd.
P.O. Box 2573
East Lansing, MI 48826-2573
Phone: 800/292-1934
Fax: 517-336-4013
Email Linda Keway at: lkeway@mea.org
