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American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving
These resources are provided in support of the “Ideas for the Classroom” suggested in the teaching poster titled American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving. In addition, you can find full-size versions of the poster images, a separate lesson on the topic of Thanksgiving, and more. Just click on the links below to explore these resources.
Teaching Poster—American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving
This teaching poster, designed for educators and students grades 4–8, examines the deeper meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday for American Indians through the themes of environment, community, encounters, and innovations. Appropriate for use at any time during the year, the poster includes information that is essential to understanding and teaching about American Indians along with compelling images and ideas for classroom activities.
Study Guide—Harvest Ceremony: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth
Developed by NMAI's Education department, Harvest Ceremony: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth, assists teachers in preparing lessons about the first Thanksgiving. The study guide includes information on which Native peoples met the first European immigrants in 1621, the harvest celebration, the Wampanoag today, the importance of corn, and instructions on how to make Johnny cakes.
American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving includes two brief sections from the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. Click on the link below for the full English version.
Ideas and Resources for the Classroom
American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving provides a selection of instructional ideas for the classroom. Listed below are links to supplementary resources to complement these classroom activities.
Environment: Understanding the Natural World
“Drought Threatens Navajo’s Crops, Culture”
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11992971
“Tale of Two Alaskan Villages”
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93029431
Community: Group Identity in Culture
“A Navajo Student Feels the Tug of Home”
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6845552
Encounters: Effects on Cultures
“Apology to American Indians Moves Forward”
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91489003
Additional web resources for teachers and students:
Intertribal Bison Cooperative
www.itbcbison.com
Tohono O’odham Community Action
www.TOCAonline.org
Printable versions of the images from American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving (13 MB)