NATIVE

AMERICAN
INDIAN
 NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN
Purpose:

To help each girl better understand the diversity of cultures encompassed by the term
"Native American' and to learn more than the stereotypical information usually available.
To extend the learning experienced in earning the Native People of the USA and
American Indian Lore recognitions.

There are many, many Native American cultures, and they are all different. At the time
America was settled by Europeans, Native Americans, the first Americans, were a
diverse are of cultures and peoples, adapting their lifestyles to the environments in
which they live. Language and custom varied across the Native American nations of
North America. There has been a history of great diversity among the Native
Americans, but there's also much that they have in common.

Today there are over 300 Native American tribal organizations and 300 languages
spoken in the United States, Each tribe has its own language, ceremonies, foods,
clothing and crafts, Some Native Americans live in towns and cities, but most live on
reservations where their ancestors were placed by the United States government.

The 19th century was a period of rapid development for the United States and Native
Americans were forced to give up their home and their lands to make way for new
population groups. From the beginning, Native Americans were denied the rights
guaranteed to American people as U.S. citizens. Not until 1864 were Indians regarded
as “competent witnesses" under federal law and allowed to testify in trials involving
white men. It wasn't until 1924 that American citizenship was 'bestowed' on all native-
born Indians.

Only recently have American historians recognized "Indian History" as a part of

American history. The problems that plaque Native Americans today stem from the
supremacist attitudes of the settlers, The Native Americans leaders are calling for self-
respect and self-determination, for they realized that this is their basic rights under the
U.S. Constitution.
 REQUIREMENTS

HISTORY CONTACT CULTURAL PREJIJDICE

ACTIVITY ACTIVITY ACTIVITY REDUCTION
ACTIVITY

LEVEL COMPLETE COMPLETE COMPLETE COMPLETE

Brownie 2 activities 1 activity 2 activities 1 activity

Junior 2 activities 1 activity 3 activities 2 activities
Cadette 2 activities 1 activity 3 activities 3 activities
Senior 2 activities 1activity 3 activities 3 activities

A leader may wish to adapt a requirement so it is easier for her girls. The Brownie leader
might simply draw in the borders and have the girls write the names. Brownie through
Senior Girl Scouts can extend these requirements to complete badge or interest project
requirements.

CREDITS

Dr. Dale McClatchy, a Native American of the Seneca tribe, Assistant Brownie Girl Scout
Leader and Special Service Volunteer wrote much of this patch material. She is available
as a resource person to troops. Address: P.O. Box 28, Danielsville, PA 18038 Tel: (215)
767-7755.

Other information for this section was derived from the Michigan Metro GW Scout Council;
from materials from Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. numerous publications; and was complied by
Elizabeth Griner-Johnson, Program Specialist.
 WHAT'S THAT NAME?
HISTORY ACTIVITY

Nearly 500 years have passed since Europeans first came to the land of the American
natives. Then the entire country was called by "Indian" names. Today in the Great Valley
area, a few names, a museum in Allentown and on Rt. 22 and a few relics of many proud
nations are all that remain.

Find out why the following places were given these names and what the names mean. Make
sure you learn the correct pronunciation, Each girl in the troop can research one word and
share her findings with the rest of the troop, If the girls have difficulty, the packet contains
most of the answers.

Allegheny Lehighton Pocono

Catasaqua Macungie Shamokin
Conestoga Manhattan Susquehanna
Copeechan Mauch Chunk Tamaqua
Erie Moselem Wallenpaupack
Kittatiany Nanticoke Youghiogeny
Lackawanna
Lehigh

Names that remain in Pennsylvania and their meanings:

Allegheny stream of the Alligewi

Catasaqua corruption of Gattoshacki "thirsty earth"
Conestoga derived from Kansatoge - at the place of the immersed pole. It is a creek
that enters the Susquehanna,
Copeechan find running stream. It is a creek, which enters the Lehigh,
Erie place of the panther
Kittatinny corruption of the 'hills in which the chief sits'. It is a mountain range.
Lackawarma corruption of Lechauhannek "forks of a stream"
Lehigh corruption of Lechauweeki "where there are forks"
Lehighton same as Lehigh
Macungie feeding place of bears
Manhattan the place where timber is procured for bows
Mauch Chunk at the bear mountain
Moselem corruption of Meschilameckha-nne "trout stream"
Perkiomen corruption of Pakihmonmink "where there are cranberries"
Pocono corruption of Pochkapochka "2 mountains near each other with a stream
between
Shamokin the place where gun barrels are straightened
Susquehanna corruption of Quenishcachachgekhanne "the long reach river"
Tamaqua corruption of Tankamochk "little beaver" or Tankamochkhanna " little
beaver stream
Wallenpaupack corruption of Walinkpapeek "deep still water" or deep still spring"
 TRIBAL AREAS

HISTORY ACTIVITY: Do one of the following two map activities. Information about some of
the tribes can be found on the next page.

Using a blank map of the USA, indicate areas of the US that were settled by:

The Plains Hunters the Midwest Farmers the Plateau Indians

the Southwest Potters

The Southwest Farmers the Californian Indians the North Wood Hunters
the Northwest Coastal Indians
the Northeast Woodland Indians

Learn about how the lives of these groups differed by comparing different aspects of 3 groups.
After you have finished, compared the size of the area covered by a group to the size of the
European countries. Which country is about the same size as the area which was populated by
your group.

OR

Indicate at least 25 major tribal (i.e. Cherokee, Powhatan) areas of today or yesterday on your
blank US map,

After you have finished, compare the size of the area covered by a group to the size of the
European countries. Which country is about the same size as the areas which was populated by
your group?

DESIGNS USED BY WOOOLAND INDIANS

 TRIBAL AREAS

Northeast State
Its six tribes were called the "Six Nations". The Woodland tribes lived in bark covered
communal dwellings. The Iroquois called these longhouses. The Lenape or Delaware Indians
lived south of the Six Nations, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. These were two
related but distinct groups, with different dialects, pottery designs and burial practices. The
Delaware Indians lived in bark lodges, called wigwams, with a single doorway located on the
side away from the prevailing winds. The Woodland Indians used wampum beads or belts.
The beads were made from calm shells. The purple beads were the most valuable. The
beads were made into belts to tell stories of agreements or denote council meetings.

Southeast Farmers
The Five Civilized Tribes lived in this area, Sequoyah of the Cherokee nation developed the
first Native American alphabet in 1821. The Creeks, one of these tribes, lived in fortified towns
surrounded by a stone wall with garden space on each side. The homes were built of wood,
bark, thatch and reeds.

Northwoods Hunters
The Chippewa were hunters and fishers. Each band claimed a substantial hunting territory,
They lived in wigwams, which were oval, and dome shaped structures built on a frame of
saplings and covered with long, wide straps of bark, which could be carried in rolls from one
camp to another.

Midwest Farmers
These tribes included the Cheyenne, Pawnee, Kiowa and Osage. These people erected
villages with circular dwellings topped with sloped roofs with smoke holes at the peaks. The
walls and roof were covered with a thick earthen layer. The entrance projected outward at the
end of an enclosed passageway.

Plains Hunters
The most widely known of these tribes is the Dakota, called the Siouz by their foes. The Plains
tribes lived in three types of dwellings: the teepee, the earth lodge, and the grass lodge,
Teepee is a Dakota word which means "place to dwell", Tepees varied in size and decoration
from tribe to tribe.

Southwest Potters
The Hopi called themselves "The Peaceful Ones". They lived in pueblo villages. Their homes
in the past were carved out of the high mesa stone, sometimes three stories high. The ground
floor was usually for storage. Removable ladders reached the upper floors. The Navajo or
"The People" lived in hogans, which were round dwellings of pole frames covered with earth.
The entrance always faced east to welcome the morning sun and the new beginning of each
day. If someone died in a hogan it was burned.
California
These coastal people ground, bored and strung clamshell beads. This was used as money,
They were highly developed in their basket making, employing a variety of twine, cord and
wicker techniques.

Plateau and Great

All the Indians of this region were semi-nomadic, fishing and hunting peoples. They made
some of the most useful and beautiful baskets in America, They include the Cheyenne and
Shoshone tribes.

Northwest Coast
These people built large houses and seagoing canoes, carved totem poles and gave feasts
known as potlatches (the origin of the term "pot luck).
 HISTORY of TREATIES

ACTIVITY: Native Americans were forced to give up their homes and their lands to make
way for new population groups. Read and discuss the testimony Chief Meninock
gave during the 1915 trial for Yakima Indians to regain the fishing rights granted
to them in an 1855 treaty. The 1855 treaty stated that they had certain fishing
rights "as long as the sun shines, as long as the mountains stand, and as long as
the rivers run".

"God created the Indian Country and it was like He spread out a big blanket. He put the Indians on it,
They were created here in this country, truly and honestly, and that was the time this river started to
run. Then God created fish in this river and put deer in these mountains and made laws through which
has come the increase of fish and game. Then the Creator gave us Indians life; we awakened and as
soon as we saw the game and fish we knew that they were made for us. For the women, God made
roots and berries to gather, and the Indians grew and multiplied as a people. When we were created
we were given our ground to live on, and from that time these were our rights as far as my memory to
my great-grandfather. This was the food on which we lived, My mother gathered berries; my father
fished and killed the game, These words are mine and they are true. It matters not how long I live. I
cannot change these thoughts. My strength is from the fish, my blood is from the roots and the berries.
The fish and the game are the essence of my life. I was not brought from a foreign country and did not
come here. I was put here by the Creator. We had no cattle, no hogs, no grain, only berries and roots
and game and fish. We never though we would be troubled by these things, and I tell my people, and I
believe it, it is not wrong for us to get this food. Whenever the seasons open I raise my heart in thanks
to the creator for the bounty that this food has come."

This is only one example of the many treaties the U.S. government made with the Native
Americans and later broke. Why do you think that happened?

HISTORY of CITIZENSHIP

ACTIVITY: Find out when and why Congress recognized Native Americans as U.S. citizens.
LEGENDS

ACTIVITY: Storytelling was an important part of Native American culture. It explained the
how's and why's of the world. Storytelling passed on the knowledge and
experience of the tribe, so that children would become aware of the manners and
customs of their ancestors. Storytelling also explained how and why things were
the way they were. Do one of the following activities.

- Learn and tell a story. Know what tribe started the story and why.
- Learn and be able to tell an Indian legend about the creation of the Indian
people. Know which tribe(s) told your story.
- Read the story "The Wind" based on the tale from the Athapascan people from
the upper Yukon.
 THE WIND

People have always been carious. Even long, long, ago when the world was very young.

A large brown bear used to walk about with a bag on his back. The people
wanted to know what was in the bag. But the bear refused to tell them.

One day, a young boy saw the bear sleeping with the bag on his back. The young boy
grabbed the bag and opened it.

The wind flew out. It blew and blew, loud and strong, soft and gentle.
Sometimes it is a breeze. Sometimes it is a tornado.

It could never be caught again.

 NATIVE AMERICAN FOODS

More than one-half of our crops today come from products developed by Native Americans,
contributing to the United States becoming the world's leading agricultural nation. Food varied
from tribe to tribe and region to region,. Corn, beans and squash were considered the "three
sisters" because they were planted together. Pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, and watermelons
were also raised. Woodland and Coastal people were accomplished cooks. The basis of
much 'traditional" American cooking is uniquely Native American: barbecues, clambakes,
steamed lobster and stuffed oyster, clams and corn chowders, gumbos and multitudes of
cranberry creations. Natural sugars were derived from sap of several trees: Black, Yellow and
White Birch, Great Bulrush and Maple.
ACTIVITY:
Eat a least 3 different foods of Native American origin. Some possibilities are listed below.
Samp is a soup derived from the Narragansett (New England area) word nasaup, meaning
corn mush. Dried corn is soaked overnight in a large covered kettle. Cooked venison (or stew
beef, onions and water are added and bought to a boil, then simmered covered 3 to 4 hours,
until the corn is tender. Salt is added to taste and the dish is served hot.
Fried Bread - soft dough is made with I cup flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, pinch salt, a little oil.
Add enough milk to moisten mix. The dough is dropped by spoonfuls into hot grease and fried
until brown and crisp. It is served hot with honey and butter.
Popcorn - is one of many corn dishes enjoyed by the Native Americans.
Succotash - is any combination of corn and beans.
Sunflower - Sunflower seeds should be bought in the supermarket. (Do not eat sunflower
seeds in birdseed packages because they are sometimes treated.) Seeds were peeled to eat,
or a bunch were peeled and ground into a sunflower seed butter. This delicacy can be spread
on bread. Add honey or jelly.
Sassafras Tea - To make, place sassafras root scrapings in a teal ball. Steep for 5 minutes in
boiled water. Drink plain or with honey.
Maple Syrup - Sap was boiled down and spread on snow or bread. Your troop can try real
maple syrup on pancakes.

Native American nuts: Pecans, hickory, and chinquapin

Native American fruits: Pawpaw, persimmon, chokecherry, or cranberry.

 NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFTS

Each tribe had distinct craft styles and mediums depending on materials available. Native
Americans are known for their pottery, baskets, bead and leatherwork, tools, and carvings.
There are many books in the libraries on Native American crafts.

ACTIVITY:

Do one of the activities below.

Many tribes used beads to decorate their clothing. Be able to name at least 2 different kinds of
beadwork design and 2 different methods of doing handwork. Make a beadwork item. Any
age group can make (Daisy chains by altering the sizes of beads and needles.)

• Household crafts - Basketry, pottery, wood carving, weaving, and sewing were done by
Native Americans. They also made eating utensils and preparation tools, furniture, hunting
implements, and decorative household items. Learn about one of these arts and make an
item that can be used in your home.

NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC

ACTIVITY: Learn a Native American song or chant. There are probably several in the
songbooks in your troop's library.

NATIVE AMERICAN DANCE

ACTIVITY: Learn why Native Americans dance. Learn two different types of dances.

INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE

ACTIVITY: Learn some Indian sign language. Learn who started sign language and why.
 HOLIDAYS AND CEREMONIES ACTIVITY

A Pow-Wow is a gathering. Pow-Wows was predominately a feature of the Plains Indians

culture. It was a result of the nomadic life style, which was necessitated by the big game
hunting. During the winter, cold weather and snow made travel difficult, causing the Native
American to reside in small bands. During the summer, game was plentiful and the bands
came together for major ceremonies. Pow-Wow has become a tradition throughout the United
States year round for intertribal gatherings. Tribes gathered together to share their songs,
dances, fellowship and crafts.

Giveaways or giving gifts, done at Pow-Wows, is one way of honoring certain individuals or
groups. The gesture is far more important than the gift. It is an honor to both receive and give
gifts.

At the Pow-Wow, the leader blesses the ground. Stories are told, There is dancing
competition and lots of food.

ACTIVITY: Do one of the following four activities.

- Find out what a "pow wow" is and why they are held.
- On paper, describe what you would do to plan a pow wow what activities you
would include and a schedule of activities.
- Actually hold a Pow-wow. Choose a topic for celebration or discussion. Prepare
Native American dishes. Have storytelling, a give-away, dancing, music, and
trading of goods.
- Make part of a Native American calendar. Include holidays and other important
dates. Do at least 3 months.

CLOTHING

ACTIVITY: Do one of the three activities below:

- Learn about the different styles of moccasins. Make a pair.

- Be able to identify six different types of female and male clothing from at least three
different tribes
- Make some Indian beadwork (Do not do this if you did this work for another activity.
 STEROTYPING
PREJUDICE REDUCTION
Find out what a stereotype is and what stereotypes people in the United States have of Native
Americans. Make a chart listing these stereotypes in one column and what you've learned is
true in the other.

PHILOSOPHY REDUCTION
Find out when Native Americans were allowed to practice their religions legally and what
happened to Native Americans who were caught practicing their religions before then.

Listen to the following prayer being read. How can one "keep meadows and mountains alive"?
Draw a picture showing how the prayer makes you feel.

I, a child of darkness, come forth on this day to feed you, with the sacred
cornmeal of tradition, and to offer you this, my humble morning prayer.

May you, or elders, keep meadows and mountains alive, with grass and with
game.

And may I continue to be accepted and loved. May I catch up with that for which
we always seek - long life and abundance.

Using your local or school library, find the answers to one of the following three questions.

- What is the Medicine Wheel?

- What is the significance of the circle?
- What is the first responsibility of every Native American?

CURRENT EVENTS
Collect articles, watch television programs or see a documentary about events (both positive
and negative) which pertain to Native Americans, Be able to determine if the narrator or author
appears to be biased in any way. Did she seem to like Native Americans?
 NATIVE AMERICAN VALUES
What is a value? Native Americans have many values which differs with many of the rest of
American societies values. These differences in values have also led to the establishment of
different traditions. Make a chart listing Native American values and traditions in one column
and the corresponding non Native American values and traditions in another column. Include
the following values and traditions and add a few of your own.

Age Inheritance Social Control

Cooperation Modesty Success
Family Patience Time
Generosity Peace Type of tradition
Health Property Work ethic

SAMPLE CHART

NATIVE AMERICAN Non-NATIVE AMERICAN

TIME Sun, seasons, regulate time, Clock time structures life with
NOW important FUTURE orientation.

PATIENCE Important to be able to wait. Important to make things

happen so one doesn’t have to
wait.

AGE Experience of age and People try to stay young.

wisdom are admired.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU ACTIVITY

Choose one of the activities below:

- Attend an Indian Pow Wow

- Invite one or more guest from any tribe to a troop meeting or activity and
learn his/her view of the tribe’s culture, or have your visitor(s) help you
complete another patch requirement.
- (If you pick this requirement, do it last.) Native Americans in the 1990's are
still striving to be treated as American citizens with equal rights and
adequate housing, education, and employment. The poverty of most
Native Americans is due to discrimination by the Federal government and
the rest of the American society. Devise a plan that would help Native
Americans to regain ability to be self-sufficient. Specify who will be
 responsible for implementing the plan. Plan to end poverty, alcoholism
school dropouts, unemployment, or suicide. Your plan may be idealistic,
but it must be possible.

The Pawhattan Renape Reservation in New Jersey has an excellent library. Call
(609) 261-747 for information or to make arrangements for a visit it
Plan a trip to the Lenni Lenape Museum of Indian Culture, Fish Hatchery Road,
Allentown Pa (215) 797-2121.

The Museum of American Indians in New York City (212) 283-2420

Check with various museums in the area regarding the availability of Native
American exhibits also check daily newspapers that have articles or ads for such
exhibits.
 RESOURCES

American Indian Intertribal Cultural Organization hold a Pow Wow every year in Maryland,
AIITCO- Twinbrook Station- P.O. Box 775- Rockville, NM20848-0775.
American Indian Mythology by Alice Marriott & Carol k. Rachlin - has many origination and
creation stories. Compares the same legends from different tribes. For any age level.
American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz. Collection contains
160 stories from more than 80 tribes,
American Indian Prose and Poetry - WF, Wait in Darkness by Gloria Levitas. Probably
better for older girls.
And It Is Still That Way by Byrd Baylor - Tails West, 1996. Legend collection told by
Arizona children.
Crafts and Hobbies by W. Ben Hunt - Golden Press
Custer Died for Your Sins by Vine Deloria Jr. - "Humorous perspective on White Indian
relations from an American Indian point of view,"
Directory of American Indian Organizations by the American Indian Graduate Center. Can
be ordered from the American Indian Graduate Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87101.
Doctor Coyote by John Bierhorst - Macmillan, 1987. Fable collection.
Earthmaker's Tales by Gretchen Will Mayo - Walker, 1989. Myth collection with information
about tribal beliefs and customs,
You - We/They, Literature by and about ethnic Groups by Edmund Farrell, Thomas Gage,
John Pfordresher, , and Raymond Rodrigues - has discussion questions after each story.
Better for older girls.
Indian American, a Geography of North American Indians by Marian Wallace Ney. Has an
advanced vocabulary.
The Indian @ by Childcraft Library for Children - has information on major tribes and includes a
story from that tribe. A very good resource for younger girls.
Indian Crafts and Lore by W. Den Hunt - Golden Press. Has a location map with tribal
pronunciations, clothing design, beadwork, and dance.

Indian Place Names in Pennsylvania by Donehoo

The Indians Of Lenaoehoking by Herbert Kraft - Seton Hall University

Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environment Activities for Children -
by Michael J. Caduto and Joseph Bruhoc, Has stories on everything from creation to
death. Tells how to story tell and has related activities. Tries to tie a lot of its contents
into caring for the environment.
The Lenape Indians of New Jersey by Herbert Kraft - Seton Hall University
Lenni Lenape Museum of Indian Culture , Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown, 797-
212 1, Carla Messinger, director.
Look to the Mountaintop by Robert lacopi - contains a few authentic recipes, a
historical time line, much about Native American history, law, religion and politics.
There is an entire chapter on Indian Women. Better for older girls.
Native American Cookbook by Edna Henry - Messner, 1983. Has authentic
recipes and information on cooking tools and techniques.

Native American Women by Reyna Green

Native Harvests by Barrie Kovasch - American Indian Archaeological Institute

Native American Indians by Frank Fox - Troubador Press

Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature contains cumulative index to articles in
magazines. Check subject index under American Indians and Native Americans.
Spider Women's Granddaughter: Traditional Tales and Contemporary Writing- by
Native American Women by Paula Gunn Allen, Probably better for older girls.
The Tipi, A Center of Native American Life by David & Charlotte Youe. Explains
everything about a tipi.

The Way by Shirley Hillwitt and Stan Steiner – collected writings by Native
American people.

Winged Words – American Indian Writers Speak by Laura Cortelli.

Women in American Indian Society by Reyna Green.

WIN:MB:PROGRAM:FESTIVAL:NATIVE AMERICAN