MRS.

JENNIFER ERNEST
Email: jernest@isle.k12.mn.us
School Phone # (320) 676-3101 ext. 219
Website: http://jenernest.weebly.com

OJIBWE/MINNESOTA NATIVE
AMERICAN HISTORY
Purpose: This course explores past and
contemporary history of the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
and Dakota People of Minnesota. Special emphasis will be on familiarizing students with the history of
indigenous people of the region. The course will explore the cultural, social, and economic
contributions of Native Americans in contemporary society. The impact of treaty rights, Indian
gaming, the use of Indian logos, and other contemporary issues will be discussed. This course will
utilize two texts, primary sources, videos, discussions and activities.

This course is offered as a one-semester course for 1/2 credit and is not required for graduation.
Open to 11-12th grade.

Course Topics and Schedule:

• Unit 1 Historical Context and Overview
o Topics:
▪ Creation and Migration
▪ Traditional Lifeways
▪ Treaties (Why Treaties Matter)
▪ Reservations
▪ Boarding Schools
▪ Relocation and Termination
• Unit 2 Culture and Today
o Topics:
▪ Sovereignty and Government
▪ Economy
▪ Gaming
▪ Culture and Language

Possible Field Trips:

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Minnesota Historical Society
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Government Center, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Camp Ripley, Minnesota National Guard
Winter Camp, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and MnDNR
Sugar Bushing, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and MnDNR
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, Minnesota DNR

Textbooks:
• Peacock, Thomas D, and Marlene Wisuri. Ojibwe Waasa Inaabidaa =: We Look in All
Directions. Afton, MN: Afton Historical Society Press, 2002.
 • Westerman, Gwen, and Bruce M. White. Mni Sota Makoce: The Land of the Dakota. St. Paul:
Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2012.
Please remember that this schedule is flexible and some units may be longer and shorter in length. That
being said, world events may precipitate discussions and activities that would modify the class
schedule.

The course will consist of, lectures, group work, field trips, daily assignments, classroom discussions,
and projects. NOTE: In order to receive a grade in the course, students MUST complete their final
project. Failure to complete this assignment will result in an incomplete and/or failure of the class.

Students should have a folder or binder as well as notebook dedicated for this class.

Grading Percentages: Your course grade will be based on the following percentages:
• Projects 45%
• Daily Work/Assignments 55%
• Extra credit opportunities will be given to the entire class

Evaluation: The grading percentages will correspond to the grading scale below:
A+ 100% and above C 73-76%
A 93-99% C- 70-72%
A- 90-92% D+ 67-69%
B+ 87-89% D 63-66%
B 83-86% D- 60-63%
B- 80-82% F 59% and below
C+ 77-79%

Absent Work: You will be given two days for every day that you miss to complete the assignments.
YOU are responsible for getting missed assignments. Questions concerning absent work should be
asked before or after class. If you know you are going to be gone, please ask for your assignments
before you leave.

Late Work: You are expected to turn in all your work and turn it in on time. Work turned in late will
result in a grade reduction. Late work will be accepted in accordance with the 3-week cutoff. After the
cut-off, that assignment will be marked as a zero and the assignment will no longer be accepted.

Attendance and Tardiness: We will follow the Isle High School policy on attendance and tardiness.
If you have any questions, please consult your student handbook or ask.

Academic Dishonesty: Any form of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating, and
copying, will not be tolerated and will result in a zero on the assignment for all parties involved.

iMacs:
Students should have their laptops with them every day unless noted or directed by the teacher.
Laptops should be charged and ready for use. If not being used during class, students should have their
laptops closed on the desk.

Email, Google Docs/Classroom

All students will be receiving a school gmail account. Students may be asked to utilize Google
Classroom and Google Docs for group work, note taking and activities. Google Classroom/Docs can
be accessed from home with an Internet connection.
Google Classroom Code: 35exkl2

Remember that YOU are responsible for your own grade, so work hard to receive the grade that meets
your expectations.

Classroom Procedures:
• All students must be in your seats when the bell rings.
• All students must remain seated at the end of class until the bell rings.
• You must come to class everyday prepared to learn. You will need:
o Textbook
o Folder Note: If you do not have any of these
o Pencil or pen items, you will be required to use a pass
o Notebook or 3-Ring Binder to retrieve them from your locker.
o Student Planner
• Textbooks must be covered.
• Food, candy, gum and beverages are not allowed in the classroom without permission with the
exception of water in approved containers
• Only one student will be allowed to leave the classroom at a time with pass
• Be respectful of our classroom – no writing on the desks, walls, in your books, etc.
• The phone is for teacher use only.

Cell Phones:
No cell phone should be used during class time. Cell phones are an emergency tool not a God-given
right. Parents, please help us reinforce this policy by not calling or texting during the academic day
unless in cases of emergency and encouraging your student to leave their phone in their locker and
respect the policy.

Procedures for formatting all papers and turning in assignments:

All assignments should be turned in to the correct tray at the beginning of the hour to receive on time
credit. All typed assignments should be in a 12-point font. They should be in black ink unless approved
ahead of time and double-spaced.