Native American Heritage Month

[Highwolf89]

This month is just not big enough. I remember in high school during Black history month all we did was learn about the african americans and how they were treated and the whole month was geared toward there history. But in november there was none of that for us as Native People. In my US history class we had one chapter the rest was just history. I even had to correct my history teacher on several occasions. The reason I write this is because I think this month should be even bigger in the schools where people really learn about our history and what was done to us as people. What is done to us now on reservations. Hopefully with education people can open there eyes to what is really going on in the reservations. I am going to start writing people in school districts even the principle of my old high school to see if I can really make this month come alive. Hope everyone can join me in doing so..

[AmigoKumeyaay]

This month is just not big enough. I remember in high school during Black history month all we did was learn about the african americans and how they were treated and the whole month was geared toward there history. But in november there was none of that for us as Native People. In my US history class we had one chapter the rest was just history. I even had to correct my history teacher on several occasions. The reason I write this is because I think this month should be even bigger in the schools where people really learn about our history and what was done to us as people. What is done to us now on reservations. Hopefully with education people can open there eyes to what is really going on in the reservations. I am going to start writing people in school districts even the principle of my old high school to see if I can really make this month come alive. Hope everyone can join me in doing so..

The politics of eduction is pushing teachers to get testing scores UP in the core studies of math, science, etc...while history...is still written by the conquerors.

Yes, there needs to be a complete change in U.S. history teaching, and the change needs to come from the NEA top-down. NEA has a FaceBook page National Education Association.

Also a "Ground Game" like Obama's 2012 Re-election needs to work from the Ground-UP. Get on Facebook and start posting on school pages, and the pages of teachers. Many schools are looking for public speakers for Native Heritage Month, and don't even know where to look.

Most non-Native people out here in California only "learned" what they know about "Indians" after the casinos started popping up 15 years ago. Sad. They don't know squat, except Pocahontas, and casinos.

[Highwolf89]

I totally agree we need to start the push for the truth and awareness of what is going on today. I will try that posting on Facebook and spreading the word

[Titus2woman]

There's always a rotten egg in the bunch though~I love my darling, but he would be that rotten egg! LOL! He HATES black history month. Why does it have to be the shortest month of the year? Why do we cram in black history one month and not teach and celebrate it all year long? He just thinks it's not all it's cracked up to be.



As I am asking him about this thread he does say CELEBRATE IT though! I would love to make it our tradition in our little homeschool to honor Native Americans in November! Funny, I JUST asked under my profile for resources that honor, and I wonder if schools know where to start in finding good curriculum? Just some thinking aloud~I do not know. :)

[wyo_rose]

Montana has taken a good step in public schools by requiring "Indian Education for All".

I think America does owe the original Americans enough to get the word out to increase education on Indian History, culture and modern issues.

Everybody is fed up with the stereotypes, misinformation, and ignorance.

[Titus2woman]

That's AWESOME about Montana! Do you worry at all about WHAT will be taught? That it wouldn't perpetuate stereotypes? I do! I would want a Native-approved curriculum, because sadly, I don't trust everybody's conclusions in research. I know that my darling and I learned two TOTALLY different things about black history growing up. I realize that was over twenty years ago, but it seems that the division in the USA today also has people embellishing history to prove their points. So on my own, I don't know where to start! I am thankful for this forum, as I have come across some wonderful helps though.

ETA that I DO want to take advantage of Native American Heritage Month, but I also would like to go deeper with a rich curriculum that would take much longer than a month to complete.

[wyo_rose]

I'm pretty sure Montana had local Native educators creating the curriculum....NOW they have a Native State Superintendent of Education! Whoo Hoo, MT!!!

[Tsalagi_Phoenix]

It seems like most people don't even know that November is Native American Heritage month. I use this month to educate people on my blog about Native history.

[Titus2woman]

*THANK YOU!* for this~I will go and check out your blog this minute! :D

[Tsalagi_Phoenix]

*THANK YOU!* for this~I will go and check out your blog this minute! :D

You're welcome. I hope you enjoy the posts I've written this month.

[Titus2woman]

I am enjoying it very much and am reading about Native Americans in history to the children. We started with Jim Thorpe, because well, three boys always love SPORTS! LOL! So yeah, we are happy for the time you have invested in writing the posts you did for Native American Heritage Month. I hope to keep such lessons going all year long! *THANK YOU!*