Indigenous Peoples Day: Gives us the opportunity to recognize the resilience and strength of the Indigenous peoples as we honor the past, present and future of Native peoples across the United States.
Indigenous Peoples Day: Gives us the opportunity to learn and acknowledge the significant impacts that Western colonization had on Native communities and the legacy of discrimination that continues today.
Indigenous Peoples Day: Gives us the opportunity to better understand and celebrate the culture and contributions of both past and contemporary Native peoples.
Today in the U.S., more than 600 Native nations and 6.8 million Americans identify as Native American. However, there continues to be a lack of representation of Native peoples in our political and media arenas.
Today is an occasion to honor the work and achievements of people like Quannah Chasinghorse; Mary Peltola; Toypurina, the Indigenous female freedom fighter; and so many others.
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Here are video resources from Untold History for introducing these people, expanding classroom discussion and connecting the past to the present:
Changunak Antisarlook: The Reindeer Queen
Discussion Questions
- How did raising reindeer make her the richest woman on the Seward Peninsula?
- How did she give back to her community?
Lozen: Fearless Apache Warrior
Discussion Questions
- How did Lozen learn to become a powerful warrior and strategist?
- Why have our history books left out the stories of the Apache woman warriors?
Zitkala-Sa: Advocate for the Rights of Native People
Discussion Questions
- In 1962, Zitkala-Sa was a co-founder of the National Council of American Indians (now known as the National Congress of American Indians). What did she and the organization lobby for?
- How did her experience as a child at a Quaker missionary-run boarding school shape her life's work?
Sacagawea: Intrepid Indigenous Explorer
Discussion Questions
- What does Sacagawea’s story tell us about the role Indigenous women played in the early U.S. expansion?
- Why do you think she helped the Lewis and Clark expedition?
- How were her language skills helpful to the expedition?
Maria Tallchief: America’s First Prima Ballerina
Discussion Questions
- What career achievements helped make Marie Tallchief a legendary ballerina?
- How was her early childhood different from most Native American children?
- In what ways did she either represent or not represent her Osage community?
Choosing Sides: Native Americans and the Civil War
Discussion Questions
- How did the Civil War change the relationship between Native Americans and the U.S. government?
- What led the members of the Five Civilized Tribes to support the Confederacy?
- Why did many tribes choose to support the Union?
Indigenous North American Tattoos
Discussion Questions
- What do Native American tattoos symbolize?
- How do Indigenous peoples today use traditional tattoos to honor their culture?
Toypurina: The Indigenous Female Freedom Fighter
Discussion Questions
- How did Toypurina help lead a rebellion against the Spanish missionaries who had invaded her homeland?
- What does her story tell us about early California history?
More Resources: Indigenous Peoples and Native Americans
Share My Lesson is your go-to resource for indigenous peoples and Native American lesson plans with this free PreK-12 collection of resources.
Untold History explores stories, people and artifacts that students won’t learn about in an ordinary text book. Perhaps now more than ever, our history is a vital and very present part of the world around us. So it’s hugely important that young people feel a part of that conversation and can see... See More
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