Introduction to this topic.
Iona and I visited Seattle last year, located in the Pacific Northwest it is part of the region inhabited by the Coast Salish peoples (there are many different tribes within that group). The city of Seattle was named for a Suquamish Tribe (Suquamish) and Dkhw'Duw'Absh (Duwamish) chief, Chief Seattle (this is an anglicization of his name, alternative spellings include Sealth, Seathle, Seathl, or See-ahth.)
While we were there we listened to some Native American storytellers and visited The Seattle Art Museum which holds a large collection of Native American art and cultural artifacts. We enjoyed the learning experience a lot and when we decided to start flexi schooling I knew right away I wanted to go deeper into this topic.
We have discussed as a family the cultural sensitivity needed when talk about Native People. We spoke a bit about the impact that white settlers had on Native life and culture as well as the forced resettlement of Native Peoples on reservation land. We spoke about racism and stereotyping as well as cultural appropriation. Hopefully we laid a framework for a topic that is enjoyable and respectful.
Our Learning Intentions
Literacy
Iona will practice reading "Look to the North: A Wolf Pup Diary" by Jean Craighead George
We will make a set of story stones and tell each other stories using them
As a family we will read "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich
We will share stories, myths and legends from many tribes
We will learn a passage from "The Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Longfellow
To ensure Native voices are being heard we will read poems by Native American authors
Exploration
We will take trips to local beaches and woodlands and look at the resources around us.
Trip to London to see the "Where the Thunderbird Lives" Exhibition at The British Museum
Visit the National Museum on Chamber street and spend time in the Natives Peoples galleries
Iona and I will take a night walk and experiences the sounds and sights of our countryside in the moonlight
We will experiment with using common Native American ingredients and recipes.
Art
We will each make a dreamcatcher
Granny and Iona will work together on a painted chest
Iona will experiment with paints and printing to make flags for our Tipi
We will illustrate some of the animals from our stories
I will make a loom from branches for us to try some weaving
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