American Indian

By: Precious Datuin, Valerie Loya, Briana Torres

Chapter 4

Edu 280

Spring 2019
American Indian Tribes
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(Ani-Yun-Wiya)
American Indian Cherokee Tribe
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Cherokee Indian Foods
1. The Cherokee were farming people. Cherokee women did most of the farming,
harvesting crops of corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers. Cherokee men did most of the
hunting, shooting deer, bear, wild turkeys, and small game. They also fished in the
rivers and along the coast. Cherokee dishes included cornbread, soups, and stews
cooked on stone hearths.
2. In today’s modern age, food in Cherokee is as diverse as anywhere else. Many foods
are prepared by grilling, frying, boiling, baking, and occasionally over an open fire.
3. Cherokee people still eat the three sisters and grow a variety of vegetables and fruits.
People also get together for hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ, turkey, ham, steaks, fish, etc.
One more modern, local favorite is shared by many people in the Qualla Boundary and
beyond: it is called fry bread.
Cherokee Indian Foods
There is a legend that corn, beans,
and squash are inseparable sisters
that grow and thrive together.
Specialty Food Dish- Fry Bread
1. Fry bread is a modern tradition
found in many tribes in North
America, and, in Cherokee, there is
a wide variety of recipes.
2. Fry bread can be eaten plain or with
toppings like cheese, chili, hot
sauce, hot peppers, lettuce, tomato,
onion, sour cream, salsa, and more.
Socioeconomic Status of American Indians
● American Indians in the United States are among the
poorest economically
○ Least employed
○ Unhealthiest
○ Low education/income levels
● The Southern Utes in Colorado, the Uinta-Ouray Utes in
Utah, and the Blackfeet in Montana have gas and oil
reserves, like the Shoshones in Wyoming.
● The Navajo and Hopi reservations in the Southwest
contain vast oil and gas fields as well as uranium
reserves.
Religion of the American Indian
● The American Indian belief that the world is
interconnected and everything, including humankind, lives
according to the same process.
○ Power
○ Function
○ Place in the universe
● Every part of nature has a spirit that possesses
intelligence, emotion, and free will.
● Great Spirit is everything in all nature.
○ Pray to nature
○ Nature is the Essence of God
● The spiritual God of the American Indians is positive,
benevolent, and part of daily living.
American Indian Language

● The American Indian language depends on

their tribe, the most common one is the
Navajo language with nearly 170,000 speakers.
● American Indians tend to speak more softly
and at a slower rate, to avoid direct
identification between speaker and listener.
○ To interject less frequently with encouraging
communicational signs such as head nods and verbal
acknowledgements.
American Indian Achievement Levels

● Tests and teacher reports show that American Indian children function at
the average-to-superior range until the fourth grade.
● After the fourth grade, academic functioning typically declines each year.
By 10th grade, American Indian learners’ academic achievement falls
below the norm.
○ Growing feelings of isolation
○ Rejection
○ Anxiety that American Indian learners feel as they confront the incompatibility of their
cultural value system with peers.
American Indian Achievement Levels……….

● Teachers sometimes view some behaviors that American Indians exhibit as

rude or insulting.
● American Indian students are sometimes thought to lack time-management
skills or to be self-centered because of their present-time orientation.
○ They believe what is happening now is more important than what is not happening now
● American Indian adolescents ability to reach out to a wider world greatly
depends on their ability to speak and understand the language of majority
and other cultures.
○ Tougher on them, because they view language as a crucial aspect of the culture and a
cherished gift that should be used whenever possible.
Becoming Aware and Finding Solutions

● Recognizing what American Indian children are and are not comfortable with.
● Example:
○ Situation #1 Uncomfortable with: To be put on the spot/receive public praise.
○ In traditional culture, it is considered inappropriate to draw attention to oneself (pound your
own drum).
○ Solution: Teachers need to make an effort to express positive recognition in a one-on-one
environment.
○ Situation #2 Grades do not appeal the same to American Indian students, as they do to
non-American Indians.
○ Solution: Instead, appeal to the student through setting their own goals, recognizing their
achievements, creating engaging and fun activities, and emphasize their strengths.
Becoming Aware and Finding Solutions

● Another important aspect that Teachers can do is to engage in their students

culture.
○ Build trust with the student, showing you are trying to get to know them on
a personal level.
○ Understand and identify certain mannerisms that come from their
traditional culture.
■ Examples: An American Indian child who avoids eye contact and is
silent.
 CLEQSP Cooperating Learning Essay Questions

Question #1: Formulate a plan for yourself, as a teacher in a predominately

American Indian classroom. What procedures/tools/issues would you utilize in
planning effective learning experiences for your learners.
● In order to plan an effective learning experience for my learners I would incorporate
the American Indian culture and create activities that teach about it. I would provide
individual, creative opportunities for students to showcase their talents. Have teaching
and learning experiences that emphasize teamwork and cooperation since the
American Indians often place emphasis on generosity, sharing, and cooperation. I
would also promote positive self-images and cultural images among American Indian
learners, which can be one of the most effective means for improving academic
achievement and school-related problems.
CLEQSP Cooperating Learning Essay Questions

Question #2: Contrast the views of family from the perspective of American
Indian versus the European American.

● When it came to family and their roles, the American Indian men would usually hunt,
while the woman would farm, there was overall greater freedom and influences. On
the other hand, the European American men would be the ones that led household as
well as farmed. The women would have few rights and only did the household labor.
With American Indians, trade was ceremonial, and gift-giving led to high status while
in European American families, trade was a business transaction and accumulating
wealth was what led to a high status.
CLEQSP Cooperating Learning Essay Questions

Question #3: If you were to be evaluated as an educator in a system that had 50

percent American Indian and 50 percent European Americans, which particular
culture would you prefer being your evaluator? Why? Don’t hesitate to be honest.

● I would lean particularly to the 50 percent American Indian culture, instead

of the European Americans because it will prove my abilities as an educator.
Instead of having a constant routine of teaching, it will push me to find new
techniques, activities that will further the students’ knowledge, and help the
students engage and become comfortable in the classroom.
CLEQSP Cooperating Learning Essay Questions

Question #4: Discuss cultural characteristics of American Indians. How can you
direct your perceptions and that of your colleagues toward a more positive
viewpoint?

● Some cultural characteristics of American Indians is that Adolescents in the American

Indian society are taught that all actions must be in harmony with nature. This is
different from American views. In America individuals believe that we have freedom as
long as we follow the rules of law. Another cultural characteristic is that American
Indians resolve differences by the concept of sharing. It is their way of life. Unlike in
American cultures of having private property and not sharing land. Lastly, the one I
believe is the most important one is that adolescents are taught to be patient and
control their emotions. They are taught to avoid outbursts over small things. For
Americans whenever there is a problem they usually start raising their voices to get
their points across.
CLEQSP Cooperating Learning Essay Questions

Question #5: Briefly describe some commonly held religious beliefs winthing
American Indian cultures. How do these beliefs contrast with commonly held
European American values? What challenges and opportunities does this contrast
provide educators?

● In the American Indian religion their belief is that the world is interconnected and everything
including humankind lives accordingly to the same process. Each being has its power, function,
and place in the universe. To them nature is the essence of God. Nature would stop is God no
longer lived. Their beliefs are completely different from European American beliefs. They differ
because since the beginning Europeans escaped to America because of the forced beliefs by
churches like the Roman Catholic Church. These beliefs contrast because there are many different
religions across the country. There are people that are atheist and do not believe in an afterlife or
God. The majority of religions in the United States in Christianity.
Cherokee Indian Children
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 The Stick Game (The Hand Game)
Required Items:

● 11 Sticks
● 4 pieces of bone or small stone

Players:

● Each team is required to have equal amounts of

members.
● Only 4 to 8 players allowed

The Prize:

● The team that has won will be awarded all the

gifts that were brought by both sides.
● Examples:
○ Anything of value
○ Fishing spear, a basket, knife, etc.