Share the importance of Native American Heritage Month with your students. Bring classrooms to life with MY HERO's Multimedia Resources and Lesson Plan for Teachers. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.
National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month is celebrated in November to honor the history and culture of the native peoples of America.
Suzan Shown Harjo is a living hero.Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee, she is an activist who has been fighting for Native American rights since the 1960s.
Students read the story and analyze the portrait to learn about Chief Joseph, leader of the Nez Perce Native American tribe of the Pacific Northwest, who tried to keep his native lands and bring peace.
The story is available in English and Spanish. Students consider the discussion questions and activities.
A leader of the Nez Perce tribe, a Native American tribe of the Pacific Northwest, United States
Chief Joseph led the Nez Perce tribe in an effort to keep its homeland.
“La Tierra es la madre de toda la gente y toda la gente debería tener derechos iguales dentro de ella.”
Students read the story about Chief Oren Lyons, an advocate for biodiversity. Analyze the portrait, paying attention to the text Robert Shetterly included in his art.
Then consider the discussion questions and activities.
Chief Oren Lyons is an internationally venerated advocate for preserving biodiversity.
Native American faithkeeper, human rights advocate, and environmental activist
Students watch one or all of the following films and consider the discussion questions and activities.
Young Navajo artist Jaime Lynn Butler campaigns to save the environment of her beloved American Southwest. (6:45 minutes)
What happens when a story is forgotten? I'm making a film about my dad, Gary Wiski-ge-amatyuk, my family, and what it means to be Native American today. (2:21 minutes)
Shot over 5 days as 300 tribes from around the world came to support the the Standing Rock Sioux in their resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline. (7:20 minutes)
Students read one or all of the following inspiring stories before considering the discussion questions and activities.
Note: Some stories included are written for younger students, and some are available in both text and audio so students can listen as they read.
"In 1962 my grandpa was a part of forming the Fairbanks Native Association. He accompanied the late Bill Carlo and Poldine Carlo. All three of them worked together to help our native community, basically starting an advocacy for local natives."
Nyla Innuksuk is an exciting young indigenous filmmaker who is pushing the boundaries of filmmaking, going beyond 2 D (flattie) films to VR/AR and 360 with her Mixtape VR company. Check out her journey to date.
Chief Wilma Mankiller was the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Great for ESL/EFF Students and Emerging Readers
The following two stories have text and audio so students can listen and read along.
Maria Tallchief was the first Native American prima ballerina in the United States.
Sarah Winnemucca was an advocate for Paiute rights.
The following two stories are written by young writers for young writers.
Recommended for Upper Elementary-aged students.
Christine Quintasket was the first published Native American woman author.
Baje Whitethorne is a celebrated Navajo painter and author.
1. Smoke that Travels and Yellow Woman are films about family and each filmmaker's heritage. Interview one of your older family members, and consider filming your interview. What challenges and obstacles did they or other members of your family face, and how did they overcome them? Share their story with MY HERO.
2. In Stories of Trust, Jaime Lynn Butler is concerned with global warming and climate change. What issues are you concerned about? What can you do? Create an action plan, get others involved and share the story of your efforts with MY HERO.
3. Mni Wikoni - Water is Life is about Native Americans banding together to protest the Dakota Pipeline due to their concerns about water pollution. Research the Dakota Pipeline. What has the environmental impact been?
4. Why is it important to celebrate the history and continuing contributions of Native people?
5. Are there any Native Americans located in your state? Research to learn about their history.
6. Do you know anyone who is a Native American? Consider filming an interview. Share his or her story with MY HERO.
7. Who is someone you admire from your heritage? Share his or her story with MY HERO.
Students analyze the painting below by Native American Artist Rex A. Begaye, who was born and raised in the Navajo culture and tradition. Go to the link in the MY HERO Art Gallery to read the description of the visual elements used, as well as the artist's thoughts on who is a hero.
Use color and symbolism to create a visual representing your culture and traditions or one of your heroes. Submit your original art to the MY HERO Art Gallery.
A lyrical interpretation of enlightenment according to Native American traditions
Additional Artwork
The Earth is a medicine, she gives everything to us. Again, the respect lies there, respecting life, what is important, even if it is not of our own.
Stories from the Christian Science Monitor
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The Native American Heritage Month lesson plan was created by MY HERO Education Outreach Director Laura Nietzer. |
MY HERO Calendars for use in the Classroom
MY HERO's Teachers Calendar Features Lesson Plans and Multimedia Resources
Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Use the MY HERO Calendar in the Classroom
Students can share their Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
How to use MY HERO's Create Program to Publish Stories, Art, Film and Audio for Students
Tutorial for students: Publish written stories, film, original artwork and audio in MY HERO's multimedia library.
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
Related MY HERO Pages
Related External Links
Find 30 Masters Scholarships for Native American and Alaskan Students with Online Master's Degrees: www.onlinemastersdegrees.org
If you are a Native American or Alaskan student in pursuit of a master’s degree, check out this list of scholarships and resources to help pay for school.
Official Website | Native American Heritage Month
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.
Alaska Native Heritage Center
A living cultural center located in Anchorage, Alaska that promotes active observance of Alaska Native culture and traditions, featuring permanent collections and educational programs.
Library of Congress - Native Americans
Gather information on American Indian leaders and culture. Study essays, music, maps and images related to the treatment and portrayal of American Indians by European explorers and settlers. Examine treaties dating from 1778-1842 and images and documents relating to assimilating American Indians through education.
Washington University Library Digital Collection
Provides an extensive digital collection of original photographs and documents about the Northwest Coast and Plateau Indian cultures, complemented by essays written by anthropologists, historians, and teachers about both particular tribes and cross-cultural topics.
Organizer created on 9/30/2019 3:00:39 PM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 6/27/2023 12:08:54 PM by Laura Nietzer
