Native American Inquiry Based Learning Project English- January 2018 In English class we researched a specific topic of Native American oppression of an inquiry based learning project. My group researched the relationship between Native Americans and the police in recent years. To begin we did substantial research into statistics and specific cases in recent years that gave my group a better view of the oppression that Native Americans experience at the hands of police. After we had a better view of the issue we used the research we gathered to create a podcast that we sent out to help spread awareness for the oppression of Native Americans. This project fits within the pillar of Take Action because through this project we were able to do our own research about a specific issue, make conclusions based on our findings, and then take everything we had done and put it together in a podcast that we could use to take action and spread awareness. Furthermore, the IBL Project supported the concept of this pillar in that it pushed us beyond the extent of a typical project. Rather than just gather research and present it in class, we were also able to inform people in the community about the oppression Native Americans experience due to unequal treatment at the hands of police. This source addresses my overarching question in that it shows an area where the mistreatment of Native Americans has improved, but oppression still occurs across the country and we have the responsibility to continue improve the treatment of Native Americans in a very practical way.
LINK TO IBL WEBSITE AND PODCAST: https://nativeamericanibl.weebly.com/
To'hajiilee School Visit Class Trip- April 2018
On our AGS class trip to New Mexico we visited a school for Native American residents on the reservation. The goal of the visit was to gain a better understanding of what everyday life looks like for Native Americans who still live on reservations. While we were there we were introduced to some of the tribal culture that they teach at school and then we went to various middle school classrooms to help out with a lesson. Overall, it was a special learning experience for me to see the unique mixture that the school created. In many ways it looked nearly identical to schools all around the country, but at the same time it was able to create an environment where children were still being taught about the culture and tradition of their people. This trip fits under the pillar of Take Action because of how we were able to visit and do some things to help out the school like gardening and helping out in classrooms. However, it was more than a service project. We did what we could to help, but the part of the experience I will remember is being able to interact with the students at To'hajiilee and learning from them. This experience addresses my overarching question because it shows how a people group that experienced oppression by explorers and governments for hundreds of years is now able to progress. The small community school is now able to send graduating students off to college. We should be ready to helps how we can, but more than anything it is important to listen. In many ways the nation's view of its responsibility to Native Americans should be guided first by listening and learning more about the history and culture of native people so that we can better understand their perspective. This crucial piece is essential, but often overlooked.