Maintains that tremendous changes in the historiography and treatment of Native American history have occurred since the late 1960s. Provides a historiographic essay on contemporary historians and their interpretations of Native American history and culture. (CFR)

Native Americans are attending college in increasing numbers. In 1986, 14,499 native American women were full-time students in four year schools; altogether 51,000 were enrolled in colleges and universities. Typically, native American women are raising families, working as primary wage earners for their families, actively engaged in community…

Maintains that academic historians are frustrated about their ability to reach different publics. Describes the National Park Service's public history activities. Concludes that exciting opportunities exist for academic historians in research and presentation of U.S. history. (CFR)

On the afternoon of September 3, 1812, 24 pioneers living in a settlement on the southern Indiana Territory frontier were murdered and mutilated by Indians. A tragic but familiar scene in the history of the westward expansion, the Pigeon Roost Massacre can be an effective teaching tool in Indiana studies. The massacre deals with the issues and…

This document, from the lesson plan series, "Teaching with Historic Places," examines the Native Americans who lived on the plains along the Knife River in what is now North Dakota. Following an introductory section, the document sets out student objectives, teaching activities, readings, and illustrations. The teaching activity…

This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration file "Horseshoe Bend Battlefield," documents from archives at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, and other resources. The lesson can be used in units on American Indian culture, early 19th-century westward expansion, the War of 1812, European American and…

Observes that instruction about Pilgrim and American Indian life often is filled with misconceptions. Explains that the foods and dress of the era differed those usually portrayed in association with the "first" Thanksgiving, a continuation of an ancient harvest celebration. Offers a Thanksgiving quiz for teaching students the realities…

This paper discusses the history and the impact that current social conditions of Native American people has upon their education, careers, relationships, and physical and mental health, and offers suggestions about how counselors can help Native Americans improve their lives. The structure of the paper includes a brief history of some of the…

Discusses the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the Americas. Criticizes contemporary condemnation of Columbus as unproductive. Acknowledges the deaths of countless Native Americans through disease and warfare. Recognizes that the pre-Columbian Americas did not comprise a paradise. Concludes that commemorating the…

Presents letter signed by 19 educators that disagrees with tone and content of position statement on Columbus Quincentenary issued by National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Argues that the encounter with Europeans effectively destroyed the indigenous culture of the Americas. Maintains that the Columbus voyages were not the beginning of a…

Presents a history lesson plan on village life among two groups of Plains Indians in the early nineteenth century. Includes student handouts of contemporary writings by Euro-Americans, maps of the area, and early American paintings of the villages. Describes and structures teaching activities, vocabulary, and additional reading. (DK)

This teacher's packet provides background materials for teachers to incorporate the study of Jamestown, Virginia, into their classroom. The packet includes the following background essays: (1) "A Short History of Jamestown"; (2) "The Fort"; (3) "Life in an Indian Village"; (4) "Recommended Reading and…

In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries prehistoric earthworks were to be seen throughout North America. Fascinated colonialist and European settlers attributed these mysterious mounds to mythic Eurocentric sources rather recognizing them as evidence of prehistoric Amerinds. By the end of the nineteenth century interest in the…

This document provides interpretive and bibliographical information concerning Christopher Columbus and his voyages to the New World. Following a preface, Part A of the sourcebook presents four authors'"Introductory Perspectives" on the meaning of Columbus' contacts with the Americas. Part B consists of resources on: (1) "Europe and…

The purpose of this guidebook is to give teachers in British Columbia, Canada a practical resource that will help address issues pertaining to the 500th anniversary of the first European contact with the Americas. The document is a resource teachers can use to get students to think about, talk about, or reflect on the 500 years of contact between…