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Sunday, October 19, 2008

What's the problem with teaching about Native American myths and legends?

In a nutshell, what if I asked you to explain the "Myth of Abraham" in The Torah or the "Legend of Jesus" in The Bible. Does that sound offensive?

When you substitute another better-known group into the equation, then the absurdity becomes apparent. As activists, our lenses need to be cleared so that we can understand that Native American creation stories deserve a similar respect. Just because they have not been written into a "sacred text," does not mean that they are less valuable.

How will you address this controversy when you open a legend book?