How Have Broken Agreements Affected the Land, Culture, and Life of American Indians in the Past and Present?
The construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline has been highly contested and ignited nationwide protests. To make an informed decision, one must know the history of the relationship between American Indians and the American government, including understanding American Indian reservations, boarding schools, and resistance movements. This inquiry provides middle school students with a range of historical and contemporary sources to consider these issues. These activities culminate in a challenge for students to figure out the best solution to this contentious issue and take action.
"Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself, and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty."
Helpful Hints
- Historical Empathy
- When reading and discussing issues, encourage students to try taking the perspective of people from that time period when discussing point of view.
- Discussion Questions
- The discussion questions are the key element of the lessons. It is imperative that students discuss questions amongst themselves with the teacher acting as the facilitator. Please refer to guidelines on transactive discussion tips and techniques.
- Writing prompts
- Writing prompts are also key in reinforcing the new information and the discussion that has taken place. The prompts allow students to integrate the perspectives they have heard into a cohesive argument.
- Make sure students complete writing prompts even if it means assigning the prompt as homework.