Activities to Teach Students About Pre-Contact Native Peoples: Introduction
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As educators, it is important to teach our students about the history and culture of pre-contact native peoples in North America. These indigenous groups inhabited the land long before the arrival of European explorers and settlers, and their communities and traditions are rich with knowledge and traditions that need to be shared.
Teaching about pre-contact native peoples can be challenging for many reasons. First, few students have much prior knowledge of native cultures beyond what they may have learned through popular media or in stereotypical portrayals. Second, teaching about pre-contact native peoples requires addressing uncomfortable truths about colonization and oppression, which can make some students and educators feel uncomfortable.
Despite these challenges, it is crucial that we teach about pre-contact native peoples in a thoughtful and meaningful way. By doing so, we can help students gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and resilience of native cultures and provide them with the tools they need to be more informed and empathetic global citizens.
In this article, we will explore some activities that can help teachers teach students about pre-contact native peoples. These activities are designed to be engaging, culturally respectful, and accessible to students of all ages and backgrounds.