Who came first to America?

 

It’s hard to beat 30,000 years ago; that is the latest calculation as to when humans arrived in the Western Hemisphere. Indigenous People’s Day, celebrated in the United States on October 11, honors the rich heritage and contributions of Native Americans. By doing the following activities, you too can appreciate these varied peoples throughout the year.

 

CONNECT:

• Learn the history of Indigenous People’s Day by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nET5LBB_wLE.
• Discover 10 Native American inventions commonly used today at https://www.history.com/news/native-american-inventions
• Explore Alaska Native history and culture by watching “Grandpa's Drum” from “Molly of Denali”: https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/mod19-soc-grandpasdrum/grandpas-drum-molly-of-denali/ . “Molly of Denali” was created by Alaska Native writers and advisers. It’s also one of the first children’s television programs to have a Native American lead.
• Watch pow wows at https://youtu.be/jQ-9QCDp9Ho. You can find more details at https://www.powwows.com/what-is-a-pow-wow/

 

CREATE:

• Try some of the ways that kids can observe Indigenous People’s Day: https://www.rebekahgienapp.com/indigenous-peoples-day/
• Sing a Native American lullaby at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB9W5PntH3s
• Hungry to know about native life and food? Chew on this information: https://www.historyforkids.net/native-american-food.html You may already have tried some of their native food!

 

CARE

• Enjoy with your family the video read aloud We Are Water Protectors read by the author, Carole Lindstrom: https://youtu.be/2YHaRmj9wLU  What are ways that you can help water become clean again?
• A lovely, earth-conscious way to honor indigenous culture and to “give back” is to plant some Native American plants as a family. Some native plants to consider are milkweed plants and pawpaw trees. You can consult the U.S. Forest Service website (https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/) to learn more about native plants and how to plant and care for them.
• How are Black-Indigenous youth working to advance social justice? This Indigenous Peoples’ Day program highlights youth of blended Black and Native heritage who use art, activism, and policy to advance Black and Indigenous solidarity and affect positive change in their communities: https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/student-programs/distance-learning/#indigenous-peoples-day

 

CAREERS:

Indigenous people often encounter barriers to employment. Understanding these obstacles can lead to thinking about ways that you can become more culturally aware and competent, which can help all people to find meaningful work: https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/8-basic-barriers-to-indigenous-employment

 

Make It Your Mission

Make It Your Mission

Spanish missions are distinctive features of South and Southwestern United States. Easter time is a good time to discover these historic structures.

CONNECT:

• Read about the role of Spanish missions in US history at https://www.history.com/topics/religion/california-missions
• See how Spanish missions were built: http://www.designing-america.com/contenido/the-spanish-missions-in-the-united-states/?lang=en
• Read about the cultures of Texas missions at https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/its02
• Remember the Alamo! At https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTCcnbzSMc8

CREATE:

• Sing about missions with these songs set to familiar songs: http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/songs.htm
• Use games to teach about missionaries: https://oureverydaylife.com/childrens-games-to-teach-about-missionaries-12083036.html
• Use a map to virtually walk on the California Missions Trail: https://www.visitcalifornia.com/feature/california-missions
• Try living in a mission with these activities: https://education.texashistory.unt.edu/lessons/notebook/SpanishMission/docs/Mission_PlacardC_J.pdf

CARE:

• You can use crafts to remind the family about missionary work and caring for others at https://www.ehow.com/info_8170549_missionary-crafts-kids.html
• How were people cared for in mission times? It depends on whom you ask. Here is an indigenous perspective: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/its02
• Read how the National Park Service is trying to preserve historic Spanish Colonial missions: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/travelspanishmissions/architecture-and-preservation.htm
• Many missions were made of adobe clay; here is how to maintain it: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/5-adobe-buildings.htm

CAREERS:

Want to make it your mission to work on missions? You can be an historian, a preservationist, an archeologist, an anthropologist, a park ranger, an architect, a photographer or artist, a landscaper, a writer, or even a religious member. Get inspired from the possibilities.

https://www.drkit.org/historic-preservationist/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/preservation-planner

https://today.uconn.edu/2011/08/the-impact-of-anthropology-on-native-american-culture/#

https://www.saa.org/about-archaeology/archaeology-as-a-career