The Topic: American Indians This project on Native Americans includes tons of resources - - too many to fit onto just this one page! Connect to the project's three other companion pages for lots more ideas and information: (1) Biographies of American Indians - A to Z, (2) American Indian Tribes and Cultures, and (3) Indian Battles, Movements, & Events.   Easier - American Indians, sometimes called Native Americans, are descendants of the first people to live in the Americas. They had been living there for thousands of years before any Europeans arrived.   Harder - When Columbus landed in what is now known as the West Indies, he incorrectly thought he had reached the Indies. He called the native people he met Indians. The Indians of the Americas spoke hundreds of different languages, had many varied ways of life, and each group had its own name. Some lived in large cities and others in small villages. Still others kept moving throughout the year, hunting animals and gathering wild plants.   No people had lived in the Americas before the arrival of Indians. Most scientists believe the first Native Americans came from Asia at least 15,000 years ago. Some think they may have arrived as early as 35,000 years ago. At the time of the first natives, huge ice sheets covered much of the northern half of the earth and much of the earth that is now underwater was dry land. One such area that was dry then but is now submerged is the Bering Strait. People following the animals that they hunted, wandered across this land, a distance of about 50 miles (80 kilometers). Before European arrival, the Indians had spread throughout the New World. Varied tribes and cultures ranged from the Arctic regions of North America to the southern tip of South America.   First Americans by K. Martin (Grades 4-8) http://www.u.arizona.edu/ic/kmartin/School/index.htm This beautiful site contains information on tribes, history, stereotypes, and suggested classroom activities to provide an overview of Native Americans. Other Related Websites for Kids: 2) Native American Indian Resources by P. Giese http://www.kstrom.net/isk/mainmenu.html 3) About Native Americans http://www.onlineclass.com/NAQ/native.html#topic 4) First Americans http://www.germantown.k12.il.us/html/intro.html 5) Native Americans http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/index.htm 6) Native Village http://www.turtle-tracks-for-kids.org/ 7) Study of Native Americans http://inkido.indiana.edu/w310work/romac/native.htm   Index of Native American Resources on the Internet http://www.hanksville.org/NAresources/ This is a huge link-site to web resources for many Native American topics: art, culture, language, music,history, health, biographies, and more. Other Links-Sites: 2) American Indian History and Related Issues by T. Johnson http://www.csulb.edu/projects/ais/ 3) Native American Resources by T. Marks http://www.geocities.com/~webwinds/friends/bknative.htm 4) Native Americans http://www.rice.lib.me.us/native.htm   Native American History Archive by the Institute for Learning Technologies of Teachers College, Columbia University http://www.ilt.columbia.edu/k12/naha/index.html This website provides access to Native American information and organizations, a forum for student discussions and publication of their project work, and tools for Native American research within the networked classroom. Related Website: 2) American Indian History as Told by American Indians (Links Site) http://www.manataka.org/page10.html   Native American Technology and Art http://www.nativetech.org/ Across this vast Turtle Island, different Peoples develop and express their own complex technology. Types of craft specialization are influenced by the different environments people live in, and by trade and information networks -- these technologies are the product of thousands of years of expertise, oral traditions and continuity. Other Online Webistes on Native American Life: 2) Native American Shelters http://www.anthro.mankato.msus.edu/prehistory/settlements/index.shtml 3) Building a Hogan http://www.waltonfeed.com/peoples/navajo/hogan.html 4) Indian Homes from First Americans http://www.germantown.k12.il.us/html/homes.html 5) Native Pre-Contact Housing http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maps/houses/housingmap.html#buttons     After visiting several of the websites for Native Americans, complete one or more of the following projects:   Complete A Native American Craft Project. (Preschool through Grade 4) The activities found at Native American Crafts for Kids from Enchanted Learning use materials found around the house, like egg cartons, cardboard, paper, boxes, string, crayons, paint, glue, etc.   Complete A Native American WebQuest. Adapt or follow the procedures and instructions found at one of the following webQuest projects: 1) Amerishame http://www.lfelem.lfc.edu/tech/DuBose/webquest/miller/amerishame.html 2) Art for Sale by K. Coates (Grade 5) http://itdc.sbcss.k12.ca.us/curriculum/artforsale.html 3) Exploring Native Americans by J. Ouellette and A. Bisson (Grade 2) http://users.massed.net/~abisson/nativeam.htm 4) Florida Native American by M. Geary http://www.magicnet.net/~itms/FL_Indian/aliens.htm 5) Gathering of Cultures by S. Graves and C. Butcher (Grades 8-10) http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/hschool/webq/webq47/shercind.htm 6) In the Time of the Old Ones by J. Schatz (Grades 3-5) http://www.itdc.sbcss.k12.ca.us/curriculum/oldones.html 7) Let's Plan A Powwow by A. Minnick http://www.dahlgren.odedodea.edu/cox/nativequest.htm 8) Museum of Native North Americans http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/fuller/8th/Purple/native%20american%20webquest.htm#Res ources/Links 9) Native American Cultures by M. Pazdersky http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/web/2000/pazdersky/ 10) Native American Three Sisters Gardens by M. Cunningham, D. McDavitt, and B. Romero (Grades 4-6) http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl/wqthreesisters_k.html 11) Native American Quest (Grade 3) by C. Scanlon http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/cscanlon/wqNA.htm 12) Native American Webpower http://www.franklin.k12.ky.us/ees/Webquest/Native_American_Webquest.html 13) Native Americans WebQuest by J. Simon http://www.west-bend.k12.wi.us/webquest/Navajo/naweb2.htm 14) 'Nunna daul Tsuny:' The Trail Where They Cried by C. Taylor (Grades 9-11) http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/techtrac/plus/taylor/index.htm   Prepare Some Native American Foods. You can find some ideas and help at sites like Native Recipes, Food and Recipes from NativeTech, and Traditional Native American Recipes from the Cooking Post.   Read An Online Native American Story. Nisho, a Potawatomi fable, provides an excellent introduction to Native American culture.   Create A Timeline of Native American History. See if you can improve and expand on the ideas found at Time Line of the Indian History of the Frontier (1860-1900).   Organize An Indian Powwow. First, visit sites like Native American Indian Powwows for the Beginner and Pow wow Etiquette. Then, plan and hold your own Native American powwow event. Be respectful and use this experience to learn more about Native American customs.   Imagine Yourself in a Situation Similar to Native American History. Imagine that you are 'removed' from your home and relocated somewhere else to begin a different life, not unlike what happened to young Cherokees in 1836. Write a story that describes that situation. How would you feel and cope in that situation? An alternative story scenario could be another fictional situation; imagine and write about your life being disrupted by alien invaders from a distant land, who are technologically far-advanced from our earthbound civilization, and have come to further develop and use our geographic resources.   Debate the Issue of Native American Genocide. Visit several of the related websites found below and then debate both sides of the issue.   Write 'A Day In the Life' of a Native American. Visit the companion page: Biographies of Native Americans - A to Z and select one individual. Then write a story that details one particular day in their life. Illustrate your story with your own drawings and artwork.   Longhouse, Tipi, Hogan, or Pueblo? Construct A Model of a Native American Home. Select a specific tribe and learn about the dwellings of that culture. You can select from several different tribes at Native American Tribes and Cultures. You can also find ideas at sites like Native American Shelters, Building a Hogan, Indian Homes from First Americans, and Native Pre-Contact Housing. Build your own model that shows a particular type of Native American housing. Websites By Kids For Kids American Indians - Clothing, Face Painting, Games and Ceremonies (1998 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/4289/ Here you see and learn about the types of clothing, popular games, ceremonies, painting and more.   Californian Native Americans (1997 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge) http://library.thinkquest.org/13386/ California was once inhabited by large numbers of indigenous peoples before the Europeans arrived. This site explores the history and lifestyle of the Ohlone tribe, discusses the missions built in the area, and highlights the oppression natives endured at the hands of those who moved into the region.   Exciting World of Native American Novels (2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/J003223F/ This site provides summaries and reviews of books about Native Americans.   Fantastic World of Native Americans (2000 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge) http://library.thinkquest.org/C001655/ The site provides information on American Indians, the various tribes, their customs, their residences, the wars and much much more.   Indian Campaigns http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/es/4/cinci/indian.htm Here you learn about the Indian wars in Ohio.   Indian Legends (2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/J003222F/ The site features book summaries and reviews of Native American folk tales that have been passed down from generation to generation and published in picture books.   Native American Arts and Crafts (2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/J003224F/ Here you can learn about pottery, jewelry, weaving, totem poles, headdresses, hide stories, and basketry. The site describes how the Native Americans made these arts and crafts, what they were made of, and how they were used.   Native Americans (2001 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110072/ This site provides information on Native American groups and tribes who lived in what is today the Continental United States. Learn how the Indians lived before white man came and changed their world. Included are facts on habitats, homes, dress, food, customs, tools & weapons, art, and more.   North American Indians (2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/J003353/ This project provides information on the society and culture of four selected Native American peoples: Navajo, Sioux, Iroquois, and Cherokee.   Southern Native American Pow Wows (2nd Place Award, 1996 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge) http://library.thinkquest.org/3081/ Join in the celebration! Pow wows are famous for their pageantry of colors and dance which help to make them very exciting events. Learn all about the dance styles and costume regalia, the music, and crafts.   More Websites on Native Americans Aboriginal Links: Canada and US http://www.bloorstreet.com/300block/aborcan.htm This is a very extensive links-site.   Alcohol among Native Americans http://ctct.essortment.com/nativeamerican_ragq.htm Alcohol found its way to the Native American population of North America during early contacts between Native people and European visitors. And, like many other so-called civilizing influences, alcohol altered the Native American existence, culture, and way of life. Related Websites: 2) Camp Justice Home Page http://www.aics.org/justice/camp.html   American Indians and the Natural World from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/cmnh/exhibits/north-south-east-west/ Through exploration of four different visions of living in and with the natural world--those of the Tlingit of the Northwest Coast, the Hopi of the Southwest, the Iroquois of the Northeast, and the Lakota of the Plains--North, South, East, West: American Indians and the Natural World examines the belief systems, philosophies, and practical knowledge that guide Indian peoples' interactions with the natural world. Other Museum Exhibits: 2) American Indians of the Pacific Northwest from the Library of Congress http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/wauhtml/aipnhome.html 3) Exhibits Online from National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institution http://www.conexus.si.edu/map/exhibit.htm 3) First Peoples from Canadian Museum of Civilization http://www.civilization.ca/aborig/aborige.asp 4) Grand Hall - Northwest Coast Native Culture from Canadian Museum of Civilization http://www.civilization.ca/aborig/grand/grandeng.html   Buffalo Hunting from Handbook of Texas http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/BB/dxb1.html This article summarizes the extermination of buffalo in the 1870s and 1880s. Related Websites: 2) Where The Buffalo Roamed http://www.montana.edu/wwwfpcc/tribes/extinct.html   Ceremonial Dances http://www.powersource.com/gallery/objects/dance.html Learn about the symbolism inherent in the dances of the annual Red Earth Celebration (Oklahoma)   Creation/Migration/Origin Stories http://www.indians.org/welker/legend.htm Read some creation, migration and origin stories from different Native American groups. Related Websites: 2) American Indian Creation Myths http://www.cybercomm.net/%7egrandpa/cretion.html 3) The Dîné: Origin Myths of the Navaho Indians by A. O'Bryan http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/nav/omni/ 4) Hopi Way Story Center http://www.timesoft.com/content/hopi/spiritual/stories.asp 5) Legend of the Chinook Indians http://hpccsun.unl.edu/nebraska/stuproj/ametf99/wenzl/chinook.html 6) Legend of Reelfoot Lake (Chickasaw) http://www.ecsis.net/dsv/lakecounty/reelfoot/legend.html 7) Myths and Legends for American Indian Youth http://www.kstrom.net/isk/stories/myths.html 8) Why the Bat has Wings (Cherokee Legend) http://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/bats/wings.html   First Nations by J.S. Dill. http://www.dickshovel.com/www.html The website author presents raw data, pertinent data, foundational data on the state of Native America.   Historical & Cultural Significance of the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve http://www.nps.gov/bela/html/history.htm The distance across the Bering Strait from Siberia to Alaska's Seward Peninsula is approximately 55 miles, and for several periods during the Pleistocene Ice Ages the trip could have been made entirely on land instead of water. Related Websites: 2) Arctic Journeys at PBS http://www.pbs.org/beringlandbridge/ 3) Who were the first Americans? http://pa.essortment.com/whowerethefir_reof.htm   Historical Maps of the United States from Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/histus.html At this site, you can find maps showing the locations for early Indian tribes. Related Map Sites: 2) Maps on Native American Nations and History http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maps/mapmenu.html   Indian Fur Trade http://www.thefurtrapper.com/index.htm This site provides information on the effects of the fur trade on Native Americans between 1804 and 1843.   Indian Removal from PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html This webpage summarizes the events of 1814 to 1824 that comprised the removal of tribes from the southeastern states. Related Websites: 2) Cherokee Trail of Tears1838-1839 http://rosecity.net/tears/trail/tearsnht.html 3) Extract from A. Jackson's Seventh Annual Message to Congress Dec. 7, 1835 from PBS http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/two/removal.htm 4) Indian Removal http://www.stanford.edu/~paherman/indian_removal.htm 5) Indian Removal Through Arkansas: A Chronicle, 1830-1849 http://anpa.ualr.edu/f_removal.htm 6) Indian Removal from Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History http://www.gliah.uh.edu/historyonline/us12.cfm 7) Indian Removal Act of 1830 from Studyworld http://www.studyworld.com/indian_removal_act_of_1830.htm 8) John G. Burnett’s Story of the Removal of the Cherokees http://www.powersource.com/cherokee/burnett.html   Native American Indian Resources http://www.kstrom.net/isk/mainmenu.html This comprehensive website contains information and resources including maps, art, stories, recipes, medicine, games, and much more.   Native American Lore Index http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/loreindx.html Here you find several links to stories of Native American Indian Lore from different tribes across Turtle Island.   Native American Peoples: A History of Genocide from Baobab Press http://www.africa2000.com/BNDX/BAO320.htm In the entire history of colonization, no people has been as systematically mistreated as the American Indian. Worst of all, the problems continue. Related Websites: 2) American Indian Stereotypes: 500 Years of Hate Crimes© by S.W. Baggs http://www.dickshovel.com/jank.html 3) Fort Laramie Treaty, 1868 from PBS http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/four/ftlaram.htm 4) Genocide of Native Americans: A Sociological View http://isis.csuhayward.edu/ALSS/soc/NAN/dd/6800sj/slj.htm 5) Hiding Genocide: The National Museum of the American Indian by C. Camp http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/native/Article_Detail.asp?Article_ID=1590 6) Indians Are Getting Uppity© by I. Choi http://www.dickshovel.com/bord2.html 7) Native American Genocide http://www.wicocomico-indian-nation.com/pages/genocide.html 8) Native American Genocide Still Haunts United States by L. Trabich http://www.iearn.org/hgp/aeti/aeti-1997/native-americans.html 9) Treaties Made with the North American Indians! http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6979/treaties.html 10) Where did All the Indians Go? http://www.worldfreeinternet.net/archive/arc12.htm   Native American Rights http://www.narf.org/ The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a non-profit organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide.    Native American Spirituality http://www.religioustolerance.org/nataspir.htm This brief webpage provides information about the diverse beliefs and spiritual practices of Native Americans. Related Websites: 2) Indian Religion and Spirituality http://www.montana.edu/wwwfpcc/tribes/Religion.html 3) Why I Am a Pagan by Zitkala-Sa http://www.magicnet.net/~itms/WhyPagan.html 4) War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality http://puffin.creighton.edu/lakota/war.html   Native Americans by G.S. Grainger http://www.sau29.k12.nh.us/library/Dewey/native_americans.htm This links-site has resources indexed to the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Other Native American Links-Sites: 2) American Indian Links http://pw2.netcom.com/~wandaron/indians.html 3) Links to American Indian Resources http://greatspirit.earth.com/links.html   Native Americans from The American West http://www.americanwest.com/pages/indians.htm This site's goal is to present a true and accurate information about Native American history, organizations, people, and culture.   North American Indians from the Keystone-Mast Collection http://www.cmp.ucr.edu/site/exhibitions/indian/North_American_Indians.html View original photographs of Native Americans and their ceremonies, dwellings, and lifestyles in this historical stereograph collection.   NativeWeb http://www.nativeweb.org/ This is the website is an international, nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to disseminating information from and about indigenous nations, peoples, and organizations around the world.   On This Date In North American Indian History by P. Konstantin http://members.tripod.com/~PHILKON/index.html This site lists over 3000 historical events which happened to or affected the indigenous peoples of North America.   Plains Indian Ledger Art Digital Publishing Project http://weber.ucsd.edu/Depts/Ethnic/fac/rfrank/Ledger.Project.Web/Ledger.Home.html This website provides important examples of 19th century Plains Indian drawings on paper. Most of this Ledger Art was completed between 1860 and 1900. Destruction of buffalo herds had ended most of the painting of buffalo hides.   Totem Poles: An Exploration http://users.imag.net/~sry.jkramer/nativetotems/default.html Here you find all about totem poles. Related Website: 2) Native American Symbol Totem Animals http://ms.essortment.com/nativeamerican_rcon.htm   Turtle Island Native Network http://www.turtleisland.org/ This is the website of Canada's aboriginal news and information network. Another Great Canadian Resource: 2) Canadian Indian History http://www.telusplanet.net/public/dgarneau/indian.htm   Voices of Wintercount http://www.wintercount.org/ This site is dedicated to sharing the thoughts, ideas, and words of traditional Native American people. These are original, unedited comments by real people, taking a stand for their way of life.   Websites For Teachers Environmental Adaption of the Native American Indian by V. Leger from Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1998/3/98.03.08.x.html This curriculum unit provides some understanding of Native American cultures and their history to our children. Other Related Plans from Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute: 2) Native American Myths: Creation to Death by M.L. Gerencser (Grades 3-5) http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1998/2/98.02.02.x.html 3) Native Americans and the Clash of Cultures: Then and Now by P.N. Herndon (Grades 9-12) http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1999/3/99.03.03.x.html 4) Totem Poles of the North American Northwest Coast Indians by M.K. Basti (Grades 6-8) http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1985/6/85.06.01.x.html   Exploring Native Americans Across the Curriculum from Education World http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson038.shtml Activities and the Internet sites are provided to help teachers present a balanced portrayal of Native Americans today -- their history, their culture, and their issues.   Native Americans (Grades 1-3) http://205.146.39.13/success/lessons/Lesson9/PSSe3_L.HTM Here is an online lesson for primary grades that could easily be modified for intermediate. Don't miss Branching Out and Online Activity.   Negotiating Treaties by M. Crosby (Grade 11) http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sst/sst190.txt This lesson helps students recognize the interaction between early settlers and indigenous people in the U.S.   Teaching About Thanksgiving http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/history/FWDPthanks.htm Here is an online guide to respectfully teaching about Thanksgiving. Related Website: 2) First Thanksgiving Proclamation http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/history/1stthnks.html 3) Thanksgiving Day Celebrates A Massacre http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/history/ThanksgivingDayMassacre.htm   Teaching To and About Native Americans http://204.98.1.2/isu/ss/firstam/respect.html Here are online guidelines for teaching about Native Americans. Related Website: 2) Appropriate Methods When Teaching About Native American Peoples from Ableza Institute http://www.ableza.org/dodont.html   Trial of Standing Bear (Grade 8) http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/standingbear/ In this activity, students are asked to research the case, the lives of people involved, and the historical background which includes Andrew Jackson’s policy of Indian removal, Manifest Destiny, and the Plains Indian War. Related Website: 2) Understanding Primary Sources: Indian Removal from Houghton Mifflin http://www.eduplace.com/ss/hmss/8/unit/act3.1.html   Native American First American Indian ancient people aboriginal people indigenous people 'Old West' Woodland horse Turtle Island Southwest Lewis & Clark Plains buffalo soldier Ghost Dance mountain men Little Bighorn Northwest explorer Bering Strait Battle of the Greasy Grass nomad fur trapper tribe hunter gatherer sacred ceremony cultivation 'Trail of Tears' reservation 'three sisters' Bureau of Indian Affairs buffalo Wounded Knee mustang Sand Creek Massacre canoe 1868: Treaty of Fort Laramie Metis scalping Fetterman Massacre Dawes Act (1887) American Indian Movement Vision Quest trade bead sweat lodge arrowhead buffalo jump Indian Removal Act Allotment Act treaty Indian school frontier peaceful coexistence casino tipi genocide petroglyph code talker environmental genocide pictograph        Created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 10/01.