Investigate the World
Dakota Access Pipeline Protests
English- August 2017
In English class we researched and discussed the protests that broke out on reservations in North and South Dakota. The unrest began when the decision was made to construct an oil pipeline that passed directly through a reservation for Native American tribes in the region. In the months to follow, hundreds of people were injured and arrested in the protesting. Once again the debate between honoring the rights of Native Americans and expansion to benefit the US was revived. This event fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because as we researched the issue we truly realized its complexity. The problem has been prevalent in our nation's history for decades and it characterized by historical events like Andrew Jackson's "Indian Removal Act" which was used to relocate Native American tribes in order to open up lands for settlers back in the 1800's. As we investigated the protests we clearly saw the plight of the Native Americans, and the impossible situation that they were in. This source addresses my overarching question in that it shows that while many improvements have been made to better the lives of Native Americans in modern times, they still experience oppression. History has significantly changed the nation's view of our responsibility to indigenous people, but this event shows that often the United States' interests still breach the land agreements made long ago.
Kolbert, Elizabeth. “Between China and Keystone XL”. The New Yorker. 20 November 2018. https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily- comment/china-keystone-xl. 30 April 2018.
English- August 2017
In English class we researched and discussed the protests that broke out on reservations in North and South Dakota. The unrest began when the decision was made to construct an oil pipeline that passed directly through a reservation for Native American tribes in the region. In the months to follow, hundreds of people were injured and arrested in the protesting. Once again the debate between honoring the rights of Native Americans and expansion to benefit the US was revived. This event fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because as we researched the issue we truly realized its complexity. The problem has been prevalent in our nation's history for decades and it characterized by historical events like Andrew Jackson's "Indian Removal Act" which was used to relocate Native American tribes in order to open up lands for settlers back in the 1800's. As we investigated the protests we clearly saw the plight of the Native Americans, and the impossible situation that they were in. This source addresses my overarching question in that it shows that while many improvements have been made to better the lives of Native Americans in modern times, they still experience oppression. History has significantly changed the nation's view of our responsibility to indigenous people, but this event shows that often the United States' interests still breach the land agreements made long ago.
Kolbert, Elizabeth. “Between China and Keystone XL”. The New Yorker. 20 November 2018. https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily- comment/china-keystone-xl. 30 April 2018.
Aaron Huey TED Talk
English- January 2018
In English class we watched a TED Talk by photographer Aaron Huey who has spent long periods of time living on some of the poorest reservations in the country with the Lakota tribe. He was full of emotion as he showed photos that revealed the struggles that these people face and discussed the long history of mistreatment that the Lakota tribe have been subjected to at the hands of the US government and military. In the end, Huey used the presentation as a call to action to help a people group that have been marginalized for decades. The video fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because Aaron Huey is using his platform as a talented photographer to shed light on an issue that is overlooked by most Americans. Through watching the video and discussing it afterwards as a class we were able to gain a new awareness for the plight of the Lakota tribe. The TED Talk supported the concept of this pillar because it showed the work of one man who is trying to make a difference to bring recognition to the struggles of Native Americans and helped us as a class by giving us a starting point from which to conduct our own research. This source addresses my overarching question in that it shows how the historical oppression of Native Americans still exists to this day, but in that there is hope for improvement as people like Aaron Huey spread the awareness and work to improve the lives of this often forgotten minority group. As more Americans are exposed to the poverty of Native American groups like the Lakota, more help will be available to improve their lives after decades of struggling.
Huey, Aaron. “America’s Native Prisoners of War”. Youtube, uploaded by TED Talks, 10 November 2010, https://www.ted.com/talks/aaron_huey, 14 January 2018.
English- January 2018
In English class we watched a TED Talk by photographer Aaron Huey who has spent long periods of time living on some of the poorest reservations in the country with the Lakota tribe. He was full of emotion as he showed photos that revealed the struggles that these people face and discussed the long history of mistreatment that the Lakota tribe have been subjected to at the hands of the US government and military. In the end, Huey used the presentation as a call to action to help a people group that have been marginalized for decades. The video fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because Aaron Huey is using his platform as a talented photographer to shed light on an issue that is overlooked by most Americans. Through watching the video and discussing it afterwards as a class we were able to gain a new awareness for the plight of the Lakota tribe. The TED Talk supported the concept of this pillar because it showed the work of one man who is trying to make a difference to bring recognition to the struggles of Native Americans and helped us as a class by giving us a starting point from which to conduct our own research. This source addresses my overarching question in that it shows how the historical oppression of Native Americans still exists to this day, but in that there is hope for improvement as people like Aaron Huey spread the awareness and work to improve the lives of this often forgotten minority group. As more Americans are exposed to the poverty of Native American groups like the Lakota, more help will be available to improve their lives after decades of struggling.
Huey, Aaron. “America’s Native Prisoners of War”. Youtube, uploaded by TED Talks, 10 November 2010, https://www.ted.com/talks/aaron_huey, 14 January 2018.
New Mexico Native American Tribal Powwow
Spanish- April 2018
In Spanish class we are not only learning a new language, but we are also learning about a completely different culture and set of beliefs than we are used to in the United States. This helps us to learn more about the tradition and people in Mexico, but these skills can also be applied to learning about any other new people group. On our class trip to New Mexico we went to a traditional Native American powwow. It was a massive event with stores, music, and food to create a vibrant showing of Native American culture in the Southwest. Thousands of people were present to see this cultural event. While there we were able to try some food and watch the complex dances preformed during the powwow. This event fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because we were able to go and experience the uniqueness of a meeting between countless Native American tribes from across the country. As a class we were also able to experience a variety of different aspects of their culture throughout the large fairgrounds. This source addresses my overarching question in that it represents a the significant shift that has happened in the United States gradually in the last century. In early America, Native Americans were constantly moved farther and farther away and many people tried to destroy their distinctive beliefs and traditions. However, gradually there has been more openness in the nation about celebrating different cultures. This change has given rise to a reemergence of Native American culture as we realize that it is our responsibility to allow different people groups to practice their unique traditions.
Spanish- April 2018
In Spanish class we are not only learning a new language, but we are also learning about a completely different culture and set of beliefs than we are used to in the United States. This helps us to learn more about the tradition and people in Mexico, but these skills can also be applied to learning about any other new people group. On our class trip to New Mexico we went to a traditional Native American powwow. It was a massive event with stores, music, and food to create a vibrant showing of Native American culture in the Southwest. Thousands of people were present to see this cultural event. While there we were able to try some food and watch the complex dances preformed during the powwow. This event fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because we were able to go and experience the uniqueness of a meeting between countless Native American tribes from across the country. As a class we were also able to experience a variety of different aspects of their culture throughout the large fairgrounds. This source addresses my overarching question in that it represents a the significant shift that has happened in the United States gradually in the last century. In early America, Native Americans were constantly moved farther and farther away and many people tried to destroy their distinctive beliefs and traditions. However, gradually there has been more openness in the nation about celebrating different cultures. This change has given rise to a reemergence of Native American culture as we realize that it is our responsibility to allow different people groups to practice their unique traditions.
Massacre at Wounded Knee
History- February 2018
In History class we studied one of the most tragic massacres of Native Americans in United States history, the massacre at Wounded Knee. The event left more than one hundred Native Americans dead at the hands of US military troops. The violent killing of so many Native Americans represents a dark place in US history. This terrible killing was motivated by a desire to suppress the culture of the Native Americans by trying to stop them from preforming their ritual "ghost dance". Furthermore, the event represented a final blow because it was the last conflict between the Sioux tribe and US troops. This event fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because we learned about a piece of United States history that is crucially important, but also one that has been ignored in the past. For years the event was labelled a commanding US victory in a fierce battle with the Indians, but years later the facts tell otherwise. This devastating event and how it is explained in schools addresses my overarching question in that it portrays a change in how Americans view this historical conflict. Rather than continue to mislabel the event as a battle, schools have shifted to showing the true reality of what happened at Wounded Knee so many years ago. This is a very important step in ensuring that we are responsibly teaching the true events that occurred and showing the Native American's side to the tragic massacre. Additionally, the restriction of the culture of Native Americans that sparked the massacre has also been greatly improved. The historical oppression of Native American culture has very obviously shaped the way Native Americans are treated today. Now, their culture is celebrated with events like powwows across the country.
History Where We Learned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opbxnuw0Dw0
History- February 2018
In History class we studied one of the most tragic massacres of Native Americans in United States history, the massacre at Wounded Knee. The event left more than one hundred Native Americans dead at the hands of US military troops. The violent killing of so many Native Americans represents a dark place in US history. This terrible killing was motivated by a desire to suppress the culture of the Native Americans by trying to stop them from preforming their ritual "ghost dance". Furthermore, the event represented a final blow because it was the last conflict between the Sioux tribe and US troops. This event fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because we learned about a piece of United States history that is crucially important, but also one that has been ignored in the past. For years the event was labelled a commanding US victory in a fierce battle with the Indians, but years later the facts tell otherwise. This devastating event and how it is explained in schools addresses my overarching question in that it portrays a change in how Americans view this historical conflict. Rather than continue to mislabel the event as a battle, schools have shifted to showing the true reality of what happened at Wounded Knee so many years ago. This is a very important step in ensuring that we are responsibly teaching the true events that occurred and showing the Native American's side to the tragic massacre. Additionally, the restriction of the culture of Native Americans that sparked the massacre has also been greatly improved. The historical oppression of Native American culture has very obviously shaped the way Native Americans are treated today. Now, their culture is celebrated with events like powwows across the country.
History Where We Learned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opbxnuw0Dw0
"To the Great White Father"
History- March 2018
In History class we read about the proclamation "To the Great White Father" which was written by Native Americans and addressed to the United States Government. In November of 1969 a group of Native Americans took control of Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. The proclamation was an offer to buy the land from the government to turn it into a reservation, however the offer is used as a way to call attention to the terrible condition of reservations across the country. In the offer the Native Americans propose to buy the land for $24 worth of beads and cloth. In addition, they said it was a perfect reservation because it was just like all of the other reservations: no running water, no fertile land, high unemployment, and no education. This historical event fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because it is not always covered in schools, but it is critical in understanding the way Native Americans felt at the time. As you dig deeper into the event you can see how it was used by Native Americans as a way to try to expose the injustice done to them in the past, as well as a way to show that they were still being mistreated by the US Government. This source addresses my overarching question in that it shows that modern day Native Americans had not forgotten about the wrong done to their ancestors at the hands of white settlers. The continually poor condition of reservations exposes a lack of help given by the US Government. While some areas of life for Native Americans has improved in the last few decades there still remain areas where they continue to be mistreated and abandoned.
History Where We Learned: chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html
http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=The_Indian_Occupation_of_ALCATRAZ
History- March 2018
In History class we read about the proclamation "To the Great White Father" which was written by Native Americans and addressed to the United States Government. In November of 1969 a group of Native Americans took control of Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. The proclamation was an offer to buy the land from the government to turn it into a reservation, however the offer is used as a way to call attention to the terrible condition of reservations across the country. In the offer the Native Americans propose to buy the land for $24 worth of beads and cloth. In addition, they said it was a perfect reservation because it was just like all of the other reservations: no running water, no fertile land, high unemployment, and no education. This historical event fits within the pillar of Investigate the World because it is not always covered in schools, but it is critical in understanding the way Native Americans felt at the time. As you dig deeper into the event you can see how it was used by Native Americans as a way to try to expose the injustice done to them in the past, as well as a way to show that they were still being mistreated by the US Government. This source addresses my overarching question in that it shows that modern day Native Americans had not forgotten about the wrong done to their ancestors at the hands of white settlers. The continually poor condition of reservations exposes a lack of help given by the US Government. While some areas of life for Native Americans has improved in the last few decades there still remain areas where they continue to be mistreated and abandoned.
History Where We Learned: chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html
http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=The_Indian_Occupation_of_ALCATRAZ