The Native American Experience:
Looking Through Indigenous Eyes
This class is a revised and enhanced iteration of the previously offered course. American Indians have not "vanished," as it is often surmised. In fact, it is quite the contrary: Native Americans are thriving and contributing to the rich tapestry of the American culture. After first looking at the Indigenous Worldview and learning how we each personally relate to it, this class will then explore several topics that are fundamental to Native people and their way of life, using the Indigenous Worldview to compare and contrast them to that of the mainstream, which is often completely opposite to the Indian Perspective. We will examine the topics listed below:
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Indian Country
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Indian Identity
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The Circularity of Life
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The Land Is Sacred
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Native Spirituality
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Oral Tradition
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The Native Community
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Federal Indian Policy
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Indian Education






Module 7:
"The Native Community"

Suggested Readings
Lippert: Native American History for Dummies
Starkey: The Native American Experience
Treuer: Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians
Week Essential Questions
Articles
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"First People's Families" - Seattle Times"
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"Kinship, Community & Elders" - Starkey
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"Ojibwe Clans" - Copper Country.com
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The Native Community: A Collective Ethos - Starkey
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"Traditional Tribal Structure" - Starkey
Videos
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TED Talk "Building Resilient Communities" - Nick Tilsen
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"Thunder Valley Community" - YouTube
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"Canoe Journey 2018" - YouTube
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"We Are Still Here: Native Youth" - YouTube