Rekindling and Recognizing Our Relationship to the Land and Community

 The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance by Robin Wall Kimmerer

As Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and ecological systems to reimagine currencies of exchange?

• We’ve surrendered our values to an economic system that actively harms what we love.
• What if scarcity is just a cultural construct, a fiction that fences us off from gift economies?
• Hoarding won’t save us … All flourishing is mutual.

(This article was a GIFT to me as I read it on Solstice morning, 2020)

The real cure for COVID is renewing our fractured relationship with the planet 

A lack of healthy, natural habitat weakens the immune systems of animals and the resulting sicknesses pass rapidly through them. Birds, prairie dogs, pigs, bats. With each infection, a chance for a virus to mutate into one that can sicken humans, and sometimes, global livelihoods. As such, a vaccine alone, no matter how effective, will not tip the balance toward health because COVID-19 is not a disease; it is a symptom of an exhausted planet. The renewal of a healthy relationship to our one shared mother, planet Earth, is the cure.

No one created the problems that threaten to overwhelm us from malice. Not the plagues, nor climate change, nor extinctions. They have occurred as side effects of a system whose rapid growth is both encouraged at all costs, and blind to natural limits.If the Earth is as alive as both climate scientists and Indigenous peoples say, and like a body, kept well by a diversity of cells, deeply connected, then the medical diagnosis that fits most neatly our modern sickness is not an infection, but a malignancy. If unaddressed, it threatens to use every last joule of energy, not from need, but from appetite until only it, and a husk, remain. As the IPBES concluded, we must “decouple the idea of a good and meaningful life from ever-increasing material consumption.” This must be the priority of our Group of 20 leaders, who met recently to talk about “recovery.” The solution will not be found by beating back the symptoms so we might return to business as usual, but fanning the flame of aliveness of the beautiful and healthier world beyond them that is in retreat.

When Texas Was At the Bottom of the Sea

Mountains built by life. Literally. To give a couple of examples, the volume of coral built up on the Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands is around 250 cubic miles. This is equivalent to building the Great Pyramid of Giza more than 416,000 times. And that’s just one atoll: The Earth has scores. The Great Barrier Reef, which runs for more than 1,800 miles along the northeastern coast of Australia, comprises about 3,000 reefs and 900 islands. It is the largest structure built by living beings in the modern world.

Contributions - Historical Truths/ Corrections

JINGLE DRESS

Created during Spanish flu, jingle dress dance now helping First Nations people cope with COVID-19: "I was really surprised when I started doing the research. I couldn't find a single photograph of what you would call a jingle dress before circa 1920 in the United States or Canada," said Brenda Child, a professor at the University of Minnesota."As a historian, it occurred to me that something very big had happened that created this new healing tradition."For Child, the creation of the jingle dress dance shows how First Nations people have learned to cope with new illnesses introduced to their communities. (Submitted by Brenda Child)That big event was the Spanish flu pandemic of 1919, and First Nations and Native American communities across North America all tell a similar story of the origin of the jingle dress

 

HORSES

The Shared History of Wild Horses and Indigenous People: But according to Indigenous oral histories and spiritual beliefs from Saskatchewan to Oklahoma, America’s Native horses never went extinct. They survived the Ice Age and lived among Native people before, and after, the arrival of European colonizers, and a mountain of historical and archaeological evidence proves it—from ancient clay and wood horse figurines from North America and horse petroglyphs in Peru to accounts recorded by early explorers.

Indeed, in recent years Western science has begun to confirm what Indigenous communities have always known. Riding and caring for horses can activate the sympathetic nervous system in children and influence the rhythm of the human heart rate. Equine therapy is becoming increasingly popular for treating PTSD in military veterans and children experiencing anxiety and depression or recovering from trauma. “Horses are incredibly sacred, they’re more than sacred,” Running Horse Collin says. “Our people didn’t need those kind of studies, we just knew it worked.”

Yet, the official story that was written into the history books, and which persists today, is that the New World had no horses before the arrival of the Spanish. According to the narrative, the first horses to arrive in the New World in 1519 were the progenitors of every horse found on the continent in later years. That it would have been biologically impossible for a small group of horses in Mexico to populate regions thousands of miles away in as little as two years is never discussed.

ASTRONOMY

Relearning The Star Stories Of Indigenous Peoples - Audio recordings: How the lost constellations of Indigenous North Americans can connect culture, science, and inspire the next generation of scientists. Here’s a question Pantalony gets sometimes: What is a series of star stories doing in a museum dedicated to technology and science?“People are surprised, but then it makes sense,” he says. “Of course cultures would have different stories based on this massive canopy from horizon to horizon that unfolds before our eyes every night.” Just like the telescope that sits in the museum, the story about Mars circling around in the sky like a startled moose is also an instrument of astronomical observation.In 2008, Canada began a major effort to right the wrongs of colonization. The process, which aimed to recognize the rights of Indigenous groups and shape a new relationship of respect, was broadly referred to as truth and reconciliation. At the museum, this took the shape of a conscious effort to include Indigenous culture and technology in the story of Canadian science—from snowshoes to star stories.

The oldest book written in the American Continent Is a Mayan guide to Astronomy: The Grolier Codex sometimes referred to as the “Sáenz Codex” or the “Maya Codex of Mexico” is a screenfold book fashioned from bark paper, coated with stucco on both sides and painted on one side. Ten painted pages survive of a twenty-page book; formerly there were judged to be eleven pages but two fragments are now considered to come from the same page. In 1976, the “United States-Mexico Artifacts Treaty of 1970” was invoked by the Attorney General of Mexico. This resulted in the seizure of the codex and its return to Mexico.Sáenz donated the codex to the Mexican government and it is currently kept in a vault in the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City and is not on public display.The claimed discovery of the Grolier Codex would make it the only pre-Columbian codex discovered in the course of the 20th century, except for some codex fragments excavated by archaeologists.It’s another example of ancient writings come to life , the oldest on our continent. Other documents previously presumed to be inauthentic could need reexamination—in which case, we may (and almost certainly do) have a lot to learn about our past.

HUNTING 

13 discoveries in the last year have fundamentally altered our understanding of human history

B.S. Bering Strait: Archaeologists determined that stone tools and artifacts discovered in a remote cave in Zacatecas, Mexico, were about 32,000 years old. They described the finding in a July study.The new evidence upended the idea that the first people arrived in North America after continent-hopping from modern-day Siberia via the Bering land bridge between 18,000 and 13,000 years ago. During the last Ice Age 32,000 years ago, that land bridge was impassable. So the research suggests the first Americans arrived by sea. According to the study authors, these migrants were likely anatomically modern humans.

Hunting: Scientists discovered a 9,000-year-old burial site containing weapons and animal-skinning tools high in the Andes mountains of Peru. They assumed the human bones there came from a skilled male hunter.But a closer look revealed that this hunter was female. Further analysis of 27 other burial sites across North and South America, which also contained hunting tools and date back to the same time period, revealed that 40% of the hunters were female.

Amazon Rock Paintings: Thousands of drawings hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest tell the story of an ancient tribe's hunting practices about 12,000 years ago. The drawings, which cover more than 2.5 miles of rock in Colombia, depict scenes of humans hunting mastodons. They also contain images of other extinct animals like giant sloths, ancient llamas, and Ice Age horses.Archaeologists announced the drawings' discovery in late November.

WRITING/ READING/ "BOOKS"

The College Student Who Decoded the Data Hidden in Inca Knots

With the help of his professor, Gary Urton, a scholar of Pre-Columbian studies, Medrano interpreted a set of six khipus, knotted cords used for record keeping in the Inca Empire. By matching the khipus to a colonial-era Spanish census document, Medrano and Urton uncovered the meaning of the cords in greater detail than ever before. Their findings could contribute to a better understanding of daily life in the Andean civilization. The only records the Inca are known to have kept are in the form of intricately knotted khipu textiles. In 2002, Urton began Harvard’s Khipu Database Project. He traveled to museums and private collections around the world to record the numbers of knots, lengths of cords, colors of fibers, and other distinguishing details about every Inca khipu he could find—more than 900 in total.

MIGRATORY PATTERNS/ CANNIBALISM

Did Columbus find early Caribs in 15th century Caribbean? Jury is still out

"We have several different notions of what Carib might be," Keegan told Ars. "We have cultural evidence, we have Columbus' reports, we have the accounts of French missionaries in the 1700s. Trying to sort through what all these different Caribs are, or whether they're even just one single cultural group, is what we were hoping that the DNA would help sort out. But as often happens in science, our questions are more subtle than our data."

After finally being able to study enough skulls, they discovered three separate clusters instead of the expected two: a Cuba cluster, a Puerto Rico/Venezuela/Colombia cluster, and a Hispaniola/Jamaica/Bahamas cluster. That prompted Keegan et al. to reexamine a pottery style known as Meillacoid, found only in Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, which anthropologists had previously thought were a separate migration.

"We found that the pottery style was much more consistent with the way those people called Caribs made pottery than the way people called Arawaks made pottery," said Keegan. "Those two lines of evidence led us to conclude that [Caribs] actually were in Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Bahamas when Columbus arrived."

As for the reports of cannibalism in Columbus' accounts, hard evidence as to whether this was truly a regular practice is still lacking. "The Caribs in the Lesser Antilles told Europeans that they kill and eat their enemies, but this could be hyperbole," said Keegan. "We don't have any skeletal evidence. We're not finding human bones that are cooked or butchered—at least we haven't yet."

One other intriguing finding from the DNA analysis concerned the evolution of Caribbean pottery styles over 2,000 years, as the Archaic Age gave way to the Ceramic Age in the region. There are five distinct marked shifts in style noted by archaeologists: red pottery decorated with white painted designs, for example; pots with tiny dots or incisions; or more ornate styles of pottery with sculpted animal faces. Some archaeologists have viewed this as evidence for fresh migrations to the Caribbean, but the DNA analysis suggests that all the styles in fact were developed by descendants of the same people who arrived in the Caribbean some 2,500 years ago."It confirms what we expect, but as a social scientist, it just goes to show that genetics can't give us a complete picture of the people who carry those genes," said Keegan. "Genes may be discrete units that we can measure, but genomes are created by cultures."

NOTE: There is not perfect resource - this one minimizes the numbers on people on the islands. More research is needed.

Teaching About Native Americans (TANA) Course

CLAUDIA'S TOP 3 THOUGHTS

1. Recognize we are not dead or only in history.  See us as contemporary people who have evolved in modern society. If we don't understand history (and how indigenous people have been made invisible), we can never understand inequities and fights for social justice.  
2. There is no where else in the world that should be telling our story, if not here in North and South America.  We have a history intertwined with everything that is taught about this country from history to contributions. Therefore, First Nations should be present throughout curriculum across subject areas.  
3. Language, images, books, television, movies more often than not, box us into a "single story." Educate yourself about stereotypes and cultural appropriation. We are hyper-visible in a way that supports white supremacy, while we are often not able to tell our own stories. 
   

CLAUDIA'S RECOMMENDED BOOKS

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

• An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz (free pdf download here: http://dlx.b-ok.org/genesis/1335000/d80c34c2edef56a1ca68f01727416207/_as/[Roxanne_Dunbar-Ortiz]_An_Indigenous_Peoples'_Hist(b-ok.org).pdf)
• 1491 by Charles C. Mann

CONTRIBUTIONS

• Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World by Jack Weatherford 

STEREOTYPES

• All the Real Indians Died Off: And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans by Dina Gilio-Whitaker and Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
• The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative by Thomas King

HANDOUTS

100Questions500Nations

CONTRIBUTIONS

Most Complete List on Claudia's Blog

FOUR DIRECTIONS - PERSONALITY/LEADERSHIP

Assessment #1

Assessment #2

A "Taste" of the Teachings( 15 minutes)

COLUMBUS INFORMATION

This the a “kid friendly” video about Columbus (in the “Ms. Frizzle Magic School Bus” style) – Adam Ruins Everything (6 minutes) 

Someone Was Already Here – Nancy Schimmel Song (3 minutes)  

Christopher Columbus - One Word (3 mins)

 Reconsider Columbus PSA with Roberto Borrero  (1 minute)  

Columbus and the Taíno Genocide from 500 Nations (19 minutes)

THANKSGIVING INFORMATION

Tisquantum’s Story with Nanepashenet (8 minutes)

and an Interview with Nani from 500 Nations (9 minutes)

The Mostly True Story Of The First Thanksgiving (7 minutes) 

Thanksgiving - One Word (3 minutes)

Native American Women Describe Thanksgiving History (2 minutes) 

A Real Thanksgiving Address in Original Language (2 minutes)

General Colonization (13 minutes)

Standing Rock Message (2 minutes)

More Information on National Day of Mourning (No Thanks Given)

STEREOTYPES/MICROAGGRESSIONS/MASCOTS

Invisible Indian (5 minutes)

    

We Are Still Here (8 minutes)

 6 Misconceptions About Native American People (3 minutes)

What Makes the Red Man Red from Peter Pan (3 minutes)

Should Mascots be Banned? (3 minutes)

 Proud Not to Be a Mascot (2 minutes)

 Redskins - One Word (3 minutes)

 

Understanding the Issue - The Movement to Eliminate Mascots

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

Cultural Appropriation - in general (6 minutes)

 

Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation (4 minutes)

Cultural Appropriation - Native American model speaks out (2 minutes)

Cultural Appropriation of Native American Heritage (10 minutes)

 

Native Americans Try On Halloween Costumes (3 minutes)

SOCIAL JUSTICE

What Really Happened at Standing Rock (6 minutes)

Ancient (and Current) Medical Cures

http://healthycures.org/30-long-forgotten-native-american-medical-cures

1. Alfalfa: Relieves digestion and is used to aid blood clotting. Contemporary uses included treatment of arthritis, bladder and kidney conditions and bone strength. Enhances the immune system.

2. Aloe: A cactus-like plant. The thick leaves can be squeezed to extrude a thick sap that can be used to treat burns, insect bites and wounds.

3. Aspen: The inner bark or xylem is used in a tea to treat fever, coughs and pain. It contains salicin, which also is found in willow trees and is the foundation ingredient for aspirin.

4. Bee pollen: When mixed with food it can boost energy, aid digestion and enhance the immune system. If you’re allergic to bee stings you will most likely be allergic to bee pollen.

5. Beeswax: Used as a salve for burns and insect bites, including bee stings. Intended to only be used externally.

6. Blackberry: The root, bark and leaves when crushed and infused in a tea are used to treat diarrhea, reduce inflammation and stimulate the metabolism. As a gargle it treats sore throats, mouth ulcers and inflammation of the gums.

7. Black Raspberry: The roots of this plant are crushed and used as a tea or boiled and chewed to relieve coughs, diarrhea and general intestinal distress.

8. Buckwheat: The seeds are used in soups and as porridge to lower blood pressure, help with blood clotting and relieve diarrhea.

9. Cayenne: The pods are used as a pain reliever when taken with food or drunk in a tea. Also used to threat arthritis and digestive distress. It is sometimes applied to wounds as a powder to increase blood flow and act as an antiseptic and anesthetic to numb the pain.

10. Chamomile: The leaves and flowers are used as a tea to treat intestinal problems and nausea.

11. Chokecherry: Considered by Native American tribes as an all-purpose medicinal treatment, the berries were pitted, dried and crushed into a tea or a poultice to treat a variety of ailments. These include coughs, colds, flu, nausea, inflammation and diarrhea. As a salve or poultice it is used to treat burns and wounds. The pit of the chokecherry – much like apple seeds – are poisonous in high concentrations. Be sure to pit the cherries if you’re considering this for any use.

12. Echinacea: Also known as purple coneflower, this is a classic Native American medicine that is used to strengthen the immune system, fight infections and fever. It also is used as an antiseptic and general treatment for colds, coughs and flu.

13. Eucalyptus: The oil from the leaves and roots is a common treatment when infused in a tea to treat coughs, sore-throat, flu and fever. It’s used to this day as an ingredient in cough drops.

14. Fennel: A plant with a licorice flavor, this is used in a tea or chewed to relieve coughs, sore-throat, aid digestion, offer relief to diarrhea and was a general treatment for colds. It also is used as a poultice for eye relief and headaches.

15. Feverfew: Used to this day as a natural relief for fever and headaches – including severe headaches like migraines – it also can be used for digestive problems, asthma and muscle and joint pains.

16. Feverwort: Another fever remedy that also is used for general pain, itching and joint stiffness. It can be ingested as a tea or chewed, or crushed to a paste as a salve or poultice.

17. Ginger root: Another super plant in Native American medicine, the root was crushed and consumed with food, as a tea or a salve or poultice. Known to this day for its ability to aid digestive health, it also is anti-inflammatory, aids circulation and can relieve colds, coughs and flu, in addition to bronchitis and joint pain.

18. Ginseng: This is another contemporary herb that has a history that goes back across cultures for millennia. The roots were used by Native Americans as a food additive, a tea and a poultice to treat fatigue, boost energy, enhance the immune system and help with overall liver and lung function. The leaves and stems also were used, but the root has the most concentration of active ingredients.

19. Goldenrod: Commonly thought of today as a source of allergies and sneezing, it was actually considered another all-in-one medicine by Native Americans. As a tea, an addition to food and a topical salve, it is used to treat conditions from bronchitis and chest congestion to colds, flu, inflammation, sore throats and as an antiseptic for cuts and abrasions.

20. Honeysuckle: The berries, stems, flowers and leaves are used to topically treat bee stings and skin infections. As a tea, it is used to treat colds, headaches and sore throat. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

21. Hops: As a tea it is used to treat digestive problems and often mixed with other herbs or plants, such as aloe, to soothe muscles. It also is used to soothe toothaches and sore throat.

22. Licorice: Roots and leaves can be used for coughs, colds, sore throats. The root also can be chewed to relieve toothaches.

23. Mullein: As an infusion in tea or added to a salad or other food, this is a plant that has been used by Native Americans to treat inflammation, coughs and congestion and general lung afflictions. It is quite common and you probably have it growing in your backyard or somewhere close.

24. Passion flower: The leaves and roots are used to make a tea to treat anxiety and muscle pain. A poultice for injuries to the skin such as burns, insect bites and boils also can be made from passion flower.

25. Red clover: It grows everywhere and the flowers, leaves and roots are usually infused in a tea or are used to top food. It is used to manage inflammation, improve circulation and treat respiratory conditions.

26. Rose hip: This is the red to orange berry that is the fruit of wild roses. It is already known to be a massive source of vitamin C and when eaten whole, crushed into a tea or added to food it is used to treat colds and coughs, intestinal distress, as an antiseptic and to treat inflammation.

27. Rosemary: A member of the pine family and used in food and as a tea to treat muscle pain, improve circulation and as a general cleanser for the metabolism.

28. Sage: A far-reaching shrub across much of North America, it is a natural insect repellent and can be used for the standard list of digestive disorders, colds and sore throat.

29. Spearmint: Used consistently by Native American tribes for treatment of coughs, colds, respiratory distress and as a cure for diarrhea and a stimulant for blood circulation.

30. Valerian: The root as an infusion in a tea relieves muscle aches, pain and is said to have a calming effect.

 

MORE: 

7 Native American Inventions That Revolutionized Medicine And Public Health

National Native American Heritage Month Proclamation 2014 By The President of the United States, Barack Obama

Every year, our Nation pauses to reflect on the profound ways the First Americans have shaped our country’s character and culture. The first stewards of our environment, early voices for the values that define our Nation, and models of government to our Founding Fathers — American Indians and Alaska Natives helped build the very fabric of America. Today, their spirit and many contributions continue to enrich our communities and strengthen our country. During National Native American Heritage Month, we honor their legacy, and we recommit to strengthening our nation-to-nation partnerships.…

As we celebrate the rich traditions of the original peoples of what is now the United States, we cannot forget the long and unfortunate chapters of violence, discrimination, and deprivation they had to endure.

For far too long, the heritage we honor today was disrespected and devalued, and Native Americans were told their land, religion, and language were not theirs to keep. We cannot ignore these events or erase their consequences for Native peoples — but as we work together to forge a brighter future, the lessons of our past can help reaffirm the principles that guide our Nation today.

In a spirit of true partnership and mutual trust, my Administration is committed to respecting the sovereignty of tribal nations and upholding our treaty obligations, which honor our nation-to-nation relationship of peace and friendship over the centuries. We have worked to fairly settle longstanding legal disputes and provide justice to those who experienced discrimination. We have taken unprecedented steps to strengthen tribal courts, especially when it comes to criminal sentencing and prosecuting individuals who commit violence against Native American women. And next month, my Administration will host our sixth annual White House Tribal Nations Conference, part of our ongoing effort to promote meaningful collaboration with tribal leaders as we fight to give all our children the tomorrow they deserve.

The Affordable Care Act provides access to quality, affordable health insurance, and it permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which provides care to many Native Americans. And because the health of tribal nations depends on the health of tribal lands, my Administration is partnering with Native American leaders to protect these lands in a changing climate.

Every American, including every Native American, deserves the chance to work hard and get ahead. This month, we recognize the limitless potential of our tribal nations, and we continue our work to build a world where all people are valued and no child ever has to wonder if he or she has a place in our society.

Not Light in the Forest or Indian in the Cupboard by CFT

Oh my! Not Light in the Forest or Indian in the Cupboard.  Unless it is exceptional, don't go with a nonNative author, though I mention a few below.

http://oyate.org/ is an amazing site with explanations and references for what is good and not so good.  Also, you can call them, they are extremely helpful and will talk to you and tell you about books not on their list (because the haven't been vetted by their committee yet)

Code Talkers by Joseph Bruchac deals with issues of being essential to a military unit while feeling completely isolated.  It deals with the issue of language and culture.  It is geared for kids, but the movie that was made from it is geared for parents.

Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich is a good alternative to Little House on Prairie books.  Same time period, different issues (obviously), but they are linked to white settlement.

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks is written mostly from a white girl's perspective by a white women, but it is the story of the first Wampanoag to attend Harvard University and takes place on the Vineyard.  It's a better option than most books (if you aren't going with a Native author).  A lot rests on the teacher to be able to explain why the white people and Wampanoag act they way they do (society, rules, cultures, laws, etc.) and bridge that abstract gap.

I love Charles Mann's book, 1491:  New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus for a nonfiction historical take.  The adult version is my current FAVORITE book on Native American history.

Indian Givers by Jack Weatherford is an oldie but goodie, also nonfiction, about contributions and how they connect with the rest of the world.

Ancient Foods Born Again

Rare squash is born again  
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/life/ct-sun-0622-best-ancient-seeds-20140622,0,2117826.story    
The squash seeds are the third generation from mother seeds found about six years ago at an archaeological dig on a Menominee reservation near Green Bay, Wis. "They found a clay ball, (used) for storing seed. It was carbon-dated to 850 years ago," Menzel said.
   
In the ball were squash seeds that eventually were given to Winona LaDuke, a longtime advocate for native food sovereignty. She called the squash Gete-okosomin, an Anishinaabe word that roughly translates to "really cool old squash."

Ancient Remedies: 10 Native Herbs or Foods to Ease Common Ailments 
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/02/24/ancient-remedies-10-native-herbs-or-foods-ease-common-ailments-153716

So much more to these foods (and this article) than the summary list below - click on the link! 
1. Amaranthus 
2. Black Cohosh
3. Coconut
4. Cranberries
5. Ginkgo Biloba
6. Maple Sap
7. Oregon Grape  
8. Peppercorns
9. Skunk Cabbage
10. Yucca Root

Indigenous Local Food Movement
http://gardenwarriorsgoodseeds.com/

A Filmography of Native American Themed Films (Including Independent Films)

Please double check ratings and preview ALL films before sharing with students. Some of these films are not rated and some are rated R.

* (asterix) These films are available on Netflix

Many are available for purchase at www.oyate.org

Whether book, movie, lesson plan, or other media source, my comment stands - Educate yourself and talk about the controversies/issues - there is NO PERFECT SOURCE, only really good questions to get to deeper understanding. Having said that, these links are great beginnings for the novice teacher or to enhance the lessons of the experienced teacher!

To keep it short and focused, this list does not include all Indigenous Nations of the Western hemisphere. For example, the following groups may be mentioned in documentaries, but are not specifically represented in a film: Maya, Inca, Aztec, Mexican, Brazilian, and Caribbean. This compilation of films is selected with the following criteria (in this order):

· Native American theme

· Potential for use in classroom by educators

· NA documentary

· NA director and/or actors (ex: Chris Eyre, Wes Studi, Graham Greene, Irene Bedard, Adam Beach)

· Depicts an historical event with an attempt at portraying an accurate NA perspective

· Depicts a NA role model (ex: Geronimo, Billy Mills)

· Depicts a relevant NA social issue (alcoholism, environmentalism, activism – mascots, Hollywood movie representation, etc.)

· Depicts relationships among NA peoples (sibling, parent/child, friends, etc.)

· Includes NA cultural beliefs/practices within the context of the story (ex: smudging, hair cutting, rites of passage)

· Shows NA contributions (ex: medicine)

The 5 Must-See Native Films of 2013

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/12/16/5-must-see-native-films-2013-152396

Winter In the Blood

Starring a who's-who of Native actors that includes Chaske Spencer, Julia Jones, Gary Farmer, Michael Spears and Saginaw Grant, expectations were high for Winter in the Blood, and the film largely delivered. It was the opening-night feature at the L.A. Skins Fest; won the Grand Prize at the Montreal First Peoples Festival; and at AIFF its star Chaske Spencer won Best Actor and the brother team of Alex and Andrew Smith won Best Director.

The Lesser Blessed

At Red Nation, The Lesser Blessed was named Best Picture, and Joel Evans won Best Actor for his portrayal of a troubled teen; up the coast at AIFF, Kiowa Gordon took the prize for Best Supporting Actor.

Maina

This tale of a rivalry between two arctic peoples set in the pre-conact era took home Best Picture at AIFF, and its stars Roseanne Supernault and Tantoo Cardinal won for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

The Cherokee Word for Water

This telling of a true story from the life of the late Wilma Mankiller was an opportunity to make a great film about recent Native history, and it succeeded in being just that. Star Kimberly Norris Guerrero, who portrays Mankiller in the movie, won Best Actress at Red Nation, where Cherokee Word for Water was the festival's closing-night film.

Other Films (listed by year)

* Battlefield Detectives: Native American Wars: The Apache (2004) – The History Channel's team of battlefield detectives compares the weapons and battlefield tactics of Apache fighters with those of their final foes, the soldiers of the U.S. Army. Exploring how the Apaches were able to use the landscape itself as an offensive strategy against opponents and analyzing important new clues left at the Battles of Cieneguilla and Hembrillo, a military geologist sheds new light on this old conflict.

* Black Cloud (2004) – Rick Schroder writes, directs and stars in this heartfelt coming-of-age tale about a young Native American boxer, Black Cloud (Eddie Spears), who overcomes many obstacles as he vies for a spot on the Olympic team. Along the way, he must use his pugilistic talents against a racist cowboy (Schroder) who's scheming to steal his girlfriend and his pride. Nathaniel Arcand, Peter Greene, Julia Jones, Wayne Knight, Tim McGraw and Russell Means co-star. 97 mins.

* Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) – A dark chapter of U.S. history comes to light in this epic saga (which earned an Emmy Award for Best Made-for-Television Movie) of the U.S. government's deliberate extermination of the American Indians. Beginning after the Sioux victory at Little Big Horn, the film traces the stories of three men: a Sioux doctor (Adam Beach), a lobbying senator (Aidan Quinn) and the Lakota hero Sitting Bull (August Schellenberg). 132 mins.

* 500 Nations (1995) – This documentary chronicles the history of the people of North and Central America, beginning with the pre-Colombian era through their brushes with European colonization, capping off with the defeat of 19th-century North American Plains Indians. The remarkable story unfolds through transcripts depicting the historical events, as well as first-hand recollections, photographs and computer reenactments. 4 disks.

* Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) – Paying close attention to period detail and historical accuracy, he-man action specialist Walter Hill (The Long Riders) directs this traditional Western recounting famed Apache warrior Geronimo's losing battle with the U.S. Army in the late-1800s Southwest. Wes Studi has the title role; Jason Patric, Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall co-star, with Matt Damon playing a young Army observer in one of his first prominent roles. 115 mins.

* In the Light of Reverence – An interesting documentary on the struggle to protect sacred Native American sites in the midst of mining, recreational use threats, and competing religions. The film follows three separate but similar Native people’s struggles: Mato Tipila in Wyoming (Lakota), Hopitutuskwa in Arizona (Hopi), and Bulyum Puyuik in California (Wintu). The film offers an array of differing positions on the complex situations and does a great job highlighting the ongoing question of public land rights versus Native American religious freedom and practice. 73 min.

* Incident at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story – Attempting to decipher truth from scandal, this film critically looks into the events of the June 26, 1975 murders on the Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation and the subsequent Leonard Peltier case. Many of the original individuals involved are interviewed – including community members, attorneys, and FBI agents. Leonard Peltier himself is featured in this film. An alarming and stirring story is presented. Questions of justice are explored and a number of critical inconsistencies with the trial that put Peltier behind bars for two life sentences are brought to light. 90 min.

* More Smoke Signals (2008) – Radio signals replace smoke signals as the communications vehicle of choice in this documentary profiling a Porcupine, S.D., radio station and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation community it serves as the "Voice of the Lakota Nation." Swiss filmmaker Fanny Bräuning captures the enduring spirit of people like Roxanne Two Bulls, a woman trying to restart her life on her ancestors' land, and John Trudell, an activist turned Hollywood musician.

* Native American Healing in the 21st Century (1997) – Learn from today's respected physicians the crossover of ancient native remedies to present-day medical practices. Learn from tribal elders traditional healing practices and philosophies. Discover the contents of a recently found 350 year old Indian medicine bag. Compare the similarities of Native American and Chinese healing. Herbal healing remedies for: Heart and circulatory; arthritis; female conditions; asthma; skin conditions and more. 40 mins.

* Pow Wow Highway (1989) – This film is an entertaining chronicle of two Cheyenne men’s journey to bail out the sister of one of the men, who has been wrongfully jailed. Both men evolve as the road trip and adventures unfold. A number of themes are represented in this Hollywood movie such as the sometimes ambiguous role of tradition in the present day, seeming disconnection from one’s Native roots, and tribal government corruption. 88 min.

* Pow Wow Trail (2004) – Producer Jeremy Torrie takes an up-close look at the unsung hero of band instruments -- the drum -- exploring its history and variety of sound capabilities, as well as its influence on different musical genres. The film takes viewers on a tour of various Indian reservations throughout North America, revealing the important role played by the drum in many traditional Native American ceremonies. 42 mins.

* Reel Injun (2009) – For more than a century, the film industry has depicted North American native people in a variety of ways -- many of them wildly inaccurate. Recently, however, that's begun to change. Director Neil Diamond captures both sides of the coin here. Through interviews with a gallery of actors and directors, including Clint Eastwood, this documentary reveals the film industry's impact on the experiences of native people in the United States and Canada.

* Running Brave (1983) The story of Billy Mills – In one of the great upsets in sports history, 10,000-meter runner Billy Mills sprinted from the back of the pack and took the gold medal in the final heat of the event at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics -- a mixture of pain and pride etched across his face as he breasted the tape. Robbie Benson portrays Mills, the Native American who left his Sioux reservation in the late 1950s for his date with destiny. Pat Hingle co-stars. D.S. Everett directs.

* Skins (2002) R – Lakota Sioux tribal police officer Rudy Yellow Lodge (Eric Schweig) struggles to rescue his older brother, Mogie (Graham Greene), a former football star who returned from Vietnam a cripple and now seeks only to drown his sorrows. This powerful story about life on a barren South Dakota reservation is one of drama and activism, filled with humor and integrity and painted with vivid details of Native American life, spirit and myth. 87 mins.

* Smoke Signals (1998) – On a Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, reservation, nothing ever changes -- until the estranged father of Victor Joseph (Adam Beach) bites the dust in Arizona, and Victor must go collect the cremated remains. The problem is, Victor can't afford the fare. But annoying nerd Thomas Builds-the-Fire (Evan Adams) will float Victor a loan ... if Thomas can tag along. This tender tale of self-discovery is based on acclaimed author Sherman Alexie's short stories. 89 mins.

* The Fast Runner Atanarjuat (2002) R – In this Cannes Film Festival award winner that's faithful to the native Inuit lifestyle, two Inuit brothers (Amaqjuaq, the Strong One, and Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner) struggle to save their nomadic tribe from evil. Atanarjuat romances the beautiful Atuat, much to the chagrin of the arrogant son of the tribe leader, Oki, who won't stand for the humiliation. Oki stages an ambush in which Amaqjuaq is killed, but Atanarjuat miraculously escapes. 172 mins.

* The Last of His Tribe (1992) The story of Ishi – Decades after his entire tribe was slaughtered, the sole survivor of the attack, Ishi, (Graham Greene) comes out of hiding having lived for years in isolation. Anthropologist Alfred Kroeber (Jon Voight) learns of Ishi's story and makes it his subject of study. Impressed with the man's courage and eager to learn the tribe's history, Kroeber takes Ishi in and devotes his research to finding out the truth. 91 mins.

* The Only Good Indian (2009) – Set in the early 20th century, when Native Americans were forced to attend boarding schools to assimilate with white culture, this provocative drama follows Charlie (Winter Fox Frank), a teenager who flees one such school to return home. Wes Studi is Sam Franklin, a Cherokee bounty hunter who has rejected his native people, charged with bringing Charlie back. Kevin Willmott (CSA: Confederate States of America) directs this powerful film. 114 mins.

* Thunderheart – This Hollywood production is based on the Pine Ridge Reservation tragedy and, at times, draws strongly from the circumstances surrounding the incident. The film’s main character – agent Ray Levoy – undergoes a personal transformation as he struggles to deal with his Sioux roots (that he has turned away from for many years). The film’s portrayal is much more optimistic that the actual Pine Ridge events. The film does, however, offer a realistic depiction of the communal division, crime, and corruption on the reservation while managing to illuminate a strong Native community and traditional belief system. 118 min.

* Trudell: Independent Lens (2006) – Filmmaker Heather Rae paints an unforgettable portrait of Native American poet and activist John Trudell, a man known as much for his spoken-word performances as he is for his politics. The documentary includes commentary from Robert Redford, Kris Kristofferson, Sam Shepard, Val Kilmer, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls and Wilma Mankiller, the first woman principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. 54 mins.

* Windtalkers (2002) R – Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) is a gung-ho Marine assigned to protect a "windtalker" -- one of several Navajo Indians who were used to relay messages during World War II because their spoken language was indecipherable to Japanese code breakers. Part of Cage's mission, however, is to kill windtalker Ben Yahzee (Roger Willie) if capture appears imminent -- always a possibility in director John Woo's high-powered action drama. 134 mins.

Coming to Light: Edward S. Curtis and the North American Indians – This film explores the life and work of avid photographer and filmmaker Edward Curtis. Fearing the complete assimilation of Native American cultures, Curtis spent over thirty years capturing photographs and video recordings of North American Indians. The film explores Curtis’ questionable techniques of collecting such information, the relationships he had with the tribes, his personal biases and struggles, as well as the legacy of his work. 86 min.

Images of Indians – A five-program series focusing on the history and effects of Native American stereotypes in film. Critical issues facing Native American communities and individuals as a result of this unfair stereotyping are addressed. Prominent Native American icons and filmmakers are included in the dialogue. Numerous examples and clips are included to illustrate the severity of these inaccurate representations. 150 min.

In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports – This film explores the ever- controversial topic of Native American mascots. The main storyline is centered on mother and University of Illinois grad student Charlene Teeters’ personal disapproval of ilm follows her and her opponents as the issue grows to a hotly contested national debate. The film raises the issue of potential self- esteem and self-image problems that such mascots can have on Native American youth. 47 min.

Kinaaldá: A Navajo Rite of Passage – This film follows a young Navajo girl as she undergoes a three-day sacred rite of passage (Kinaaldá) from adolescence to adulthood. The video follows the girl through nearly all aspects of the very traditional and sacred ritual. By following the ritual closely, the film illustrates the importance of family, community, balance, purification, and tradition among the Navajo. 56 min.

More Than Bows and Arrows – A great teaching tool for grades 6-12. The film covers a broad range of Native American history, inventions, and contributions to US society. The film reveals that Native American influences are found in our current political system, art, architecture, agriculture, medicine, and recreational activities (to name a few). The video is full of information and is sure to keep viewers’ attention! 60 min.

On and Off the Res’ with Charlie Hill – An entertaining documentary about the life and career of famed comedian and actor Charlie Hill, this film illustrates the many influences that contribute to one’s individuality. The film explores Hill’s versatile influence and audience. Through his comedy, Hill addresses a number of sources of Native American discrimination. However, he does so in a manner that both raises awareness and alleviates the pain. In his own words, “I try to turn poison into medicine through comedy.” 56 min.

The Salt Song Trail – bringing creation back together,” is about the sacred Salt Songs (Asi Huviav Puruakain) of the Southern Paiute (Nuwuvi) people. The songs are used in memorial ceremonies, for cultural revitalization and as a spiritual bond for the Southern Paiute people living in the Southwest. Through the beautiful landscape of the Colorado Plateau, painted deserts and river valleys, the Salt Song Trail traces the journeys of ancestral peoples to historic and sacred sites. The film also documents a healing ceremony at the Sherman Institute – a former Indian boarding school where Indian children where forcibly taken from their homes and forbidden to practice their traditional cultures. The singers return to the school years later to sing for the children who never came home. To read a short article on “The Salt Song Trail,” go to: http://www.nativeland.org/spiritsfree.pdf

12 Movies Shot in Monument Valley on the Navajo Nation
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/09/28/12-movies-shot-monument-valley-navajo-nation-151484 

1. Stagecoach (1939)  
2. My Darling Clementine (1946)  
3. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
4. The Searchers (1956)
5. How the West Was Won (1962)
6. Easy Rider (1968)
7. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
8. The Eiger Sanction (1975)
9. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
10. Back to the Future Part III (1990)
11. Forrest Gump (1994)
12. The Lone Ranger (2013) 

11 Essential Native American Films You Can Watch Online Right Now
Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/11/28/11-essential-native-american-films-you-can-watch-online-right-now-158052

1. Shouting Secrets: iTunes.
Wesley, a young, successful novelist, long ago left Arizona and the San Carlos Apache Reservation in his rear view mirror. He remains close to his mother but alienated the rest of the family with his autobiographical bestseller. He has no intention of returning for his parents anniversary party but finds himself pulled back into the fold. Coming home only underlines what a mess Wesley’s life has become, but he’s not alone in that. Shouting Secrets tells a present day story about a Native-American family with unique struggles but universal truths.​


2. Empire of Dirt: Vimeo On Demand.
A young single First Nations mother struggling to bridge the generation gap with her daughter Peeka and her mother Minerva.

3. This May Be the Last Time: Google Play, YouTube, iTunes. 
Director Sterlin Harjo heard a story hundreds of times growing up; the story of when his grandfather disappeared. Pete Harjo mysteriously went missing in 1962 after his car crashed on a rural bridge in Sasakwa, Oklahoma. The Seminole Indian community began a day and night search for his body. As they combed the riverbanks it is told that they sang songs of faith and hope that had been passed on for generations. In This May Be The Last Time, the director revisits his grandfather’s mysterious death and how hymns played a role then and now in uniting families and communities in times of worship, joy, mourning, hope, tragedy. This deeply personal journey starts in Oklahoma’s Native churches and carries on through astounding connections to slavery in the deep American South and onward as far away as the Scottish highlands. 

4. Road to Paloma: Google Play, Amazon, VUDU.
Native American protagonist Wolf is on the run after avenging his mother's murder. As he flees across the desolate American West on his motorcycle, he'll discover that justice has a cost—Wolf's search for redemption will reveal secrets and take him on a journey where the roads have some very unexpected turns.

5. The Lesser Blessed: iTunes, VUDU; Amazon.

Through the eyes of Larry Sole, a First Nation teenager filled with bravado and angst, fragile and yet angry, seeking clarity clouded by confusion, seeking to belong without belonging, comes the story of three unlikely friends isolated in a small rural town discovering what they can of life and love amid racial tensions and the recklessness of youth, in a world clouded by a dark mystery from his past

6. Rhymes for Young Ghouls: VUDU; iTunes (Canada).

Red Crow Mi'g Maq reservation, 1976: By government decree, every Indian child under the age of 16 must attend residential school. In the kingdom of the Crow, that meansimprisonment at St. Dymphna's. That means being at the mercy of "Popper", the sadistic Indian agent who runs the school. At 15, Aila is the weed princess of Red Crow. Hustling with her uncle Burner, she sells enough dope to pay Popper her "truancy tax", keeping her out of St. Ds. But when Aila's drug money is stolen and her father Joseph returns from prison, the precarious balance of Aila's world is destroyed. Her only options are to run or fight... and Mi'gMaq don't run.

7. The Activist: iTunes, Google Play.

A political thriller set during the Wounded Knee insurrection in 1973. Two activist are arrested and maintain in custody in a sheriff's office. They will meet a Nixon advisor, a lawyer, a senator and a movie star who is also an activist.

8. The Cherokee Word for Water: CW4W.com website; iTunes, coming soon.

Set in the early 1980s, The Cherokee Word For Water begins with the return of Wilma Mankiller to her rural Oklahoma Cherokee community where many houses lack running water and others are little more than shacks. After centuries of being dehumanized and dispossessed of their land and identity, the people no longer feel they have power or control over their lives or future. This is the true story of the struggle for, opposition to, and ultimate success of a rural Cherokee community to bring running water to their families by using the traditional concept of "gadugi"– working together to solve a problem.

9. A Good Day to Die: Netflix, iTunes, VUDU.

Dennis Banks co-founded the American Indian Movement (A.I.M.) in 1968 to call attention to the plight of urban Indians in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The film presents an intimate look at Dennis Banks' life beginning with his early experience in boarding schools, through his military service in Japan, his transformative experience in Stillwater State Prison and subsequent founding of a movement that, through confrontational actions in Washington DC, Custer South Dakota and Wounded Knee, changed the lives of American Indians forever.

10. On the Ice: Netflix, iTunes, VUDU.

Two teenage boys who have grown up like brothers go about their lives in the comfortable claustrophobia of an isolated Alaskan town. Early one morning, on a seal hunt with another teenager, an argument between the three boys quickly escalates into a tragic accident. Bonded by their dark secret, the two best friends are forced to create one fabrication after another in order to survive. The shocked boys stumble through guilt-fueled days, avoiding the suspicions of their community as they weave a web of deceit. With their future in the balance, they are forced to explore the limits of friendship and honor.

11. Tiger Eyes: Google Play.

(Note: Strictly speaking, Tiger Eyes isn't a "Native American film" in the same sense as the others listed here, as its protagonist, screenwriters and director were all non-Native. But we include it in this list because of the critically-lauded performance by Tatanka Means, which was found award-worthy by Native film festivals.)  Forced by her grieving mother to move from her home in Atlantic City to the strange “atom bomb” town of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Davey (Willa Holland) no longer knows who to be or how to fit in. Everything that once mattered—the friends, reputations, parties and expectations that fuel high school days—suddenly seems insignificant and Davey is certain no one has the first clue about the turmoil she is going through. But when she meets Wolf (Tatanka Means), a mysterious Native‐American climber exploring the surrounding canyons, she feels he is able to see right into her most wild and secret emotions. Their intense relationship brings Davey back from the edge as she finds the courage to embark on the first great adventure of her life.

2013 Thanksgiving Movie:  Free Birds

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/10/07/free-birds-tells-wrong-story-inaccurately-151629

It's probably unreasonable to expect an animated children's movie about the First Thanksgiving to tell anything but the well-known sanitized version of the tale. All in all, it would be best to avoid the subject altogether, since the story of Indians and Pilgrims sitting down to a turkey dinner in 1621 sows seeds of basic disinformation that many people carry into adulthood. It simply didn't happen the way it's taught to children, and what did happen puts a smileyface on a long and shameful history of conquest and genocide.  We haven't even mentioned Indians. There weren't any in the first trailer for the movie, and in the second they show up, briefly, in the final 20 seconds. One wears a large feather headdress and a bone breastplate, he has a partner and they're both riding horses. Wrong, wrong, and wrong.

The plot of Free Birds, coming to a theater near you November 1, finds an oppressed population traveling back in time to 1621 to change the course of history and save future generations. No, it's not Native Americans -- it's turkeys. The turkeys from the future band together with their ancestors and wage a Braveheart-style war on the Pilgrims. It's your standard anthropomorphic kid-flick wackiness, and if history has to be fudged to make it work then so be it.