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:

 

• Indian Country

• Indian Identity                                        

• The Circularity of Life

• The Land Is Sacred

• Native Spirituality

• Oral Tradition

• The Native Community

• Federal Indian Policy

• 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

• "Native Community Essential Questions"

   

Articles

• "First People's Families" - Seattle Times"

• "Kinship, Community & Elders" - Starkey

• "Northwest Indian Families"

• "Ojibwe Clans" - Copper Country.com

• The Native Community: A Collective Ethos - Starkey

• "Traditional Tribal Structure" - Starkey

• "Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution"

Videos

 

• TED Talk "Building Resilient Communities" - Nick Tilsen

• "Thunder Valley Community" - YouTube

• "Canoe Journey 2018" - YouTube

• "We Are Still Here: Native Youth" - YouTube

Recurring Items

• "Native Worldview Review Sheet"

• "Grandfather's Seven Sacred Teachings"

• "Traditional Code of Ethics"

• "What Is Indigenous?"

• "Terms to Be Familiar With"