Stereotypes of Native Americans
Stereotypes of Native
Americans
Due: Tuesday, February 12,
2019
Native Americans were the first inhabitants of North
American; however, American history has been unpleasant to these indigenous people. From sports mascots
to unrealistic portrayals, there is a picture painted of Native American with feathers,
tepees and buffalo for food. Associating
these images with all Native
Americans is stereotyping.
We have read a glimpse of the different cultural regions of Native
Americans. You are somewhat of an expert. Choose one of the choices below and
discuss the inaccurate portrayal versus the accurate portrayal of Native Americans.
Choice 1
Read the poem, Indian
Blood by Mary Tall-Mountain. Write a description of your visualization while you read the poem.
Then sketch your visualization on the same paper.
Next, write a paragraph describing the inaccurate region/
environment of the character in the poem and the possible accurate
region/ environment of the character. Use her clothes and language to help you.
Choice 2: A movie
clip on the internet showed a Native American with feathers in a mohawk running
out of a tepee. Write a letter
to the Director explaining the inaccurate depiction. Use evidence of cultural
regions of Native Americans.
Choice 3
(challenging)
Watch the PBS video, Breaking
Stereotypes of Native American Artist. Answer the following questions by
writing paragraph(s).
Before the video:
- Describe what you view as
Native American Art.
- Can an artifact be
different from art?
After the video:
- How have your thoughts
about Native American Art changed after the video?
- What advice would you
give to a contemporary Native American Artist?
- Be sure to use your
knowledge of Native American environments and cultural regions including
information about food, climate, housing, traditions and artifacts.
Poem, Blood Indian
Indian Blood
By Mary Tall-Mountain (June 19, 1918 – September 2, 1994)
On the stage
I stumbled,
My fur boot
caught
On a slivered
board.
Rustle of
stealthy giggles.
Beendaaga’ made of velvet
Crusted with
crystal beads
Hung form
brilliant tassels of wool,
Wet with my
sweat.
Children’s
faces stared.
I felt their
flowing force.
Did I crouch
like goh
Children’s
faces stared.
I felt their
flowing force.
Did I crouch
like goh
in the
curious quiet?
They butted
to the stage,
darting
questions; pointing.
Do you live in an igloo?
Hah! You eat blubber!
Hemmed in by
ringlets of brass,
grass-pale
eyes,
the fur of daghooda-aak
trembled.
Late in the
night
I bit my hand
…
with moons of
dark
Indian blood.
Translations:
beendaaga' =
mittens goh= rabbit daghooda-aak= caribou parka
Cultural regions
- Northwest Coast- cedar trees,
rainy, salmon
- Great Plains- large grasslands, camas
- Plateau- Rocky mountains, large
rivers
- California-Intermountain- Pacific
coast, desert area, little rainfall
- Eastern Woodlands- Michigan, great
lakes, four seasons, wigwams
- Southwest-hot summers, freezing winters,
- Southeast- near Atlantic coast but humid, alligators
