The second Monday in October is Indigenous Peoples Day. Most primary Social Studies curriculums include study of Native Americans indigenous to your state. The perfect introduction to this would be to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day.
As we learn more about our history and its events, we grow and change. We owe our students the benefit or our new learning. There is no reason to get into the problems with Columbus Day in the primary classroom. Instead, there are many ways for your students to study and respect the Native American Indian culture. Your time and efforts are better spent there. According to the National Museum of the American Indian, there are a few guidelines for teachers to keep in mind when preparing these lessons:
- Start with the fact that there is not one Native Culture or Language.
- Native American Indians are still here today.
Not One American Indian Culture
When the Europeans came to America, there were over 1,000 organized Native American Nations. Each had their own way of life. They had their own culture, traditions, beliefs, and commerce. This included their own homes, clothing, language and transportation. There was trade established between the Tribal Nations. They had their own laws. Your kids will enjoy learning about the American Indians in your state, then and now.
Native American Indians Today
There are over 500 Tribal Nations that own land in the continental U.S.A. These Tribal Nations have their own flags with their own laws. They work and play. They live and love. Often, they fight to protect the land. The Elders continue to teach the younger generations about their customs, traditions, and beliefs.
At the heart of American Indian Culture is kinship. Relationships with each other, and with the land were and are all important. Their cultures were always changing. The Tribal Nations today are proof of their grit, perseverance, and above all resilience. You will still find them here. They are still strong. There is still much we can learn from them. Native American Indians have dual citizenship: American and as a member of their Tribal Nation.
Click on the picture on the right if you wish to check out my new Indigenous Peoples Day Introduction. You will find background info on each slide. Whatever you do to celebrate the day, give your students a chance to learn and respect the Native American Indian Cultures.