In History class we studied the Homestead Act and the huge effects it had on the lives of Native Americans. In 1862, America had firmly established itself and was searching for new frontiers to explore. Under the banner of Manifest Destiny, many people were inspired to move west in search of new opportunities. This pushed Congress to pass the Homestead Act which allowed Americans to receive a free plot of land to settle on in the west. While this act was instrumental in expanding the nation, it also led to devastating effects for Native Americans whose land was being given away by the US Government. This law fits within the pillar of Communicate Ideas because of how it displays that during this time Native Americans had no voice in lawmaking. However, that reality was not isolated to this single legislation. This event addresses my overarching question in that it shows the intense oppression that Native Americans have had to face throughout history. This law was passed with no regard for the devastating effects it would inevitably have on hundreds of indigenous tribes across the Great Plains and into the west. Fortunately, in more recent history the attitude of the nation towards Native Americans has changed for the better. Now, the lands of Native Americans are protected by the organization of reservations across the nation. This shift clearly shows how the historical mistreatment of Native Americans has changed to bring more modern day freedom to these people.
History Where We Learned: https://www.history.com/topics/homestead-act
Chief Red Cloud English- November 2017 In English we read Chief Red Cloud’s speech on the subject of indian rights and discussed his perspective on indian rights. This speech fits within the pillar of Communicate Ideas because Chief Red Cloud saw the oppression of Native Americans and travelled to New York City to advocate for his people. He states in his speech that “The Great Spirit made us both. He gave us lands and He gave you lands… Now you are many and we are few”. The speech given by Chief Red Cloud to a room of white Americans supports the pillar of Communicate Ideas because he shows the poise and courage to speak on behalf of his people and make their struggle known to all. Furthermore, Chief Red Cloud is able to accomplish this even in the face of many men who don’t share his views. Lastly, this source addresses my overarching question in that it shows a Native American leader who rose to the challenge and spread the word about the suffering of his people. This was of crucial importance because it gave Americans a native perspective on the conflicts between natives and western settlers.
Aufses, Robin, et al. “Chief Red Cloud: Speech on Indian Rights.” Conversations in American Literature, edited by Daniel McDonough, Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015, pp. 843-845.
Superman and Me English- January 2018
In English class we read “Superman and Me” and analyzed what it taught us about the lives of modern day Native Americans. The story is the short autobiography of a Native American man who describes life growing up on a reservation and how he rose above expectations and became an author. He finishes his story with how he often returns to reservations to help teach the children who live there. This short story fits within the pillar of Communicate Ideas because the author explains how he took the experiences of his youth and the discrimination he felt and responded to it by becoming a writer. At the end of the story he explains how he guest teaches on reservations to try to help children that are in the same situation he was. This exemplifies the Communicate Ideas pillar because it shows how he recognized the need for better education and responded to that need by helping how he could. Throughout the piece the author explains how reading helped him to excel and now he wants to pass on this information to the next generation. This source addresses my overarching question because the author experienced education on a reservation first hand and saw how Indian children were expected to be poor students and therefore most lived up to those expectations in the classroom. This created a feeling of responsibility in the author to return to the reservation and try to improve the opportunities of the next generation. Alexie, Sherman. “Superman and Me." Conversations in American Literature, edited by Daniel McDonough, Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015, pp. 1420-1423.
Civil Rights Movement History- April 2018
In History class we studied the Civil Rights movement by reading Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail". Then we wrote and discussed as a class what MLK was trying to accomplish through his involvement in the Civil Rights movement. As Martin Luther King sits in a jail cell in Alabama he wrote a letter to explain what needed to be done to accomplish the goal of equality in America. This source fits within the pillar of Communicate Ideas because it shows how even though MLK was in jail, he was still doing all he could to try to bring an end to the social injustice he saw in the nation. Regardless of his personal struggles, he stayed singularly focused on his dream of a country without segregation, discrimination, or violence between races. In addition, "Letter from Birmingham Jail" supports the concept of the pillar, Communicate Ideas, because even though Martin Luther King is recognized for his work in the African American Civil Rights movement, his accomplishments benefited all minority groups as racial barriers were broken down across the United States. This source addresses my overarching question in that it shows once again how the historical oppression of a racial group has shaped the modern perspective. This age of reform is best remembered for what is did to improve the lives of African Americans in the US, but in reality its effects went even further. The event revealed widespread discrimination across the country and the foundation it set was used as a platform to help win more equality for other groups, like Native Americans. Even though tension still exists, the history of the mistreatment of minority groups has led to a day where there are events across the country that celebrate the uniqueness and rich history of minority groups. History Where We Learned: http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/letter-from-birmingham-city-jail-excerpts/
New Mexico River Guide Science- April 2018
In Science class we are continuously learning in order to gain a better understanding of the world around us and how it works. Often this leads us to covering only the newest technology and beliefs available. However, on our class trip to New Mexico we received a difference perspective. While we were there our class took a raft down a river and got to hear from a older Native American man about how he relies on nature for nearly all of his needs. He explained to us how he is able utilize the wilderness around him to provide for many of his everyday needs. Eventually he explained to us that he no longer goes to a pharmacy to get medicine, instead he uses the plants in the area to provide for his needs. In addition, he explained how he has seen amazing increases in his health because he eats from a strict diet that only allows him to eat the produce of the region. The lesson he taught us as we floated down the river fits within the pillar of Communicate Ideas because of the way he explained his beliefs on a more healthy lifestyle without the use of new, modern medicines. Furthermore, his stories were even more significant because it is the way he has lived for years. This experience addresses my overarching question in that it shows how even to this day Native American traditions still thrive. It is the responsibility of the United States to continue to allow the free expression of beliefs rather than suppress them like in the past.