Native Americans

Their influence on the United States

http://smartsongs.org/american-indian-rap Within your group, discuss and answer these

questions. Select one group member to read your answer to the class when called on. Do you know why Native Americans are known as

American Indians? Can you name one state (or more) that has a Native

American influence, through either language or tribal name?

What is the Trail of Tears that is mentioned in the video?

Bell Ringer

There are 26 states* who can thank a Native American

group for their name. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico North and South Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Wisconsin, and Wyoming

*While there was a Native American tribe named “Delaware” they were named because they lived near the Delaware River which in turn was named after Thomas West, Lord De La Warr who was governor of the Jamestown colony.

States with Native American Origins

Named from the Ojibwa word meaning “Great

River” or “Gathering of Waters”

The state of Mississippi was named after the river!

Mississippi

Obviously named after the country Mexico!

Mexico is named thanks to the Aztec Empire, which is what gives New Mexico the claim to this origin!

New Mexico

The name comes from the Algonquian word

Michigama which means “Great Lake” or “Large Lake”

Out of 83 counties, 32 have Native American origins

“The Three Fires”: Chippewa (elder brother), Ottawa (middle brother), and Potawatomi (younger brother)

Michigan

Central Michigan University (Chippewa) Florida State University (Seminole) The University of Utah (Utes) The University of Illinois (Illini)

*In recent years there has been a push to eliminate Native American mascots from schools as it is considered to be offensive. These four schools however, have been granted by the NCAA to keep their Native American mascot names because they have been given written permission by the tribes to use the names.

Universities and Colleges with Native American

Mascots*

“Chief Osceola” from Florida State University• Do you think as long as a

school has permission from the Native American tribe that they take their name from, that they can have a mascot that depicts the group?

• If you were a member of the tribe, would you find this offensive?

• Why do you think people find this offensive? Has our past history with Native American groups caused this idea of offensiveness?

Cleveland Indians (MLB) Atlanta Braves (MLB) Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) Washington Redskins (NFL) Golden State Warriors (NBA) Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

*Similarly with Universities there has been controversy of professional teams using Native American imagery. Some have made changes, others have not.

Professional Sports Teams with Native American

Mascots*

• Do you think this logo is offensive to Native Americans?• What makes this

offensive?

• Should the logo be changed?• Why or why not?

Pocahontas is best remembered for helping

the Jamestown colony. Many myths surround the story of Pocahontas, but it is widely accepted she provided food and other supplies in the winter to Jamestown.

Sacagawea is best remembered for helping Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in their expedition. She worked as an interpreter, translating the Shoshone language into English.

Well-known Native Americans who offered help to

Europeans

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was implemented

during President Andrew Jacksons term. The Act was enforced in 1838. Many groups from

Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, and Florida were forced to walk to what is now Oklahoma. This was due to gold being found, as well as

prejudices. Over 4,000 of 15,000 people died due to

malnutrition, disease, and exhaustion.

Trail of Tears

Thanks to the many Native American groups, we have access to these kinds of food:

Corn and popcorn Pumpkins Tomatoes Avocado Chocolate and vanilla Potatoes both white and sweet Turkeys

Native American Contributions that impact

your life today!

We can also thank Native Americans for the following products:

Canoes Toboggans Snow shoes Moccasins Tomahawks Coonskin caps Lacrosse

Native American Contributions that impact

your life today! ~Continued~

We can thank Native Americans for the creation of:

Roads and railroads. Michigan Ave was used by Michigan and Illinois tribes to travel between modern day Detroit and Chicago.

The longhouse inspired the log cabin. Villages such as Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis,

Pittsburgh, and many others became sites of European villages/trading posts and now major cities.

Our form of government! We modeled the Iroquoian League that separated powers. The federal government has certain powers, and the states have the remaining powers.

Native American Contributions that impact

your life today! ~Continued~