Bell work Write a paragraph explaining everything you

Bell work Write a paragraph explaining everything you know about Native American Indians and their culture. Some things to think about. Describe their appearance. Describe the way they lived. Describe their role in creating America. Describe their religious views. Describe the way they were treated by explorers and settlers. Etc.

Native American Culture American Literature Part 2

Meeting Native Americans Europeans arrive on east coast in 1500 s Native Americans greet them as friends

Instruct them in New World agriculture and woodcrafts Maize, beans, squash, maple sugar, snowshoes, toboggans, birch bark canoes

Without Native American assistance, many settlers would succumb to harsh northeastern winters

Native American Culture “When your brother falls behind you don't leave him there. Wait for him to catch up. ” Albert Ward Mic Mac Elder

Do not view themselves as a single nation More than 300 groups speak more than 200 languages

Culture System of beliefs and values through which a group of people live All knowledge and values shared by a society Beliefs and values can be roughly organized in three areas The nature of the physical world Social order and appropriate behavior Human nature and the problem of good and evil

Beliefs Humans have a kinship with animals, plants, land, heavenly bodies, and elements All of nature is seen as alive and aware Human and nonhuman are seen as parts of a sacred whole Humans do not have power over nature Humans are part of nature and must act to maintain balance with the world around them

Much of Native American Culture has been lost due to diseases, violence, forced religious conversion, forced relocation, and forced education

from “Seneca Council Speech” “Brother! Our lands were once large, and yours were very small. You have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets. You have got our country, but are not satisfied. ” Red Jacket

Native Americans and their traditions have not completely disappeared. In fact, their culture did influence the U. S. Constitution.

The founders of the United States used The Iroquoian Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace as a model for the United States’ Constitution.

Sources: Adaptation of Mrs. Laura Hottinger’s PPT Miami Trace High School 2009