A Word to the Wise...

No one likes to be lumped into the wrong category. To do so is rude and inconsiderate. It is important that you take care not to offend anyone when you are learning about a culture that is not your own.

There were literally hundreds of Native American tribes and there still are. All of those tribes have their own traditions and their own customs. Many had their own language. To say that a certain word, recipe, or custom is "Indian" is incorrect.

Be honest when you are sharing what you learn. If you don't know where the word, the custom or the recipe came from, then that is your answer. "I'm not sure."

When you are asked to find information about one specific culture, think about the part of the country that culture comes from and what they would have had available before you choose your information.

When Using Native Way Recipes

Many of these recipes, especially the traditional ones, can be made using modern day substitutions for ingredients. However, I recommend you do your homework and look around the specialty section of your grocery stores so you can use as many authentic ingredients as possible. Also, many of the recipes can be altered to be cooked in a "camp" setting with a little forethought.

In the meanwhile, the following meats could be swapped out.

Buffalo - Is available commercially by mail order, but you can substitute beef or a sweet venison such as moose or elk.

Venison - is generic for deer, antelope, elk, or moose. In a pinch substitute beef.

Pheasant, game hens - are also available commercially by mail order, but you can substitute chicken. Most wild game birds are similar in taste to the dark meat on chicken. Turkey, goose and duck - substitute domestic from the grocery store.

Rabbit - is available commercially in some areas.

Possum, squirrel - substitute rabbit where available.

Fish - think about where the Native Americans you are studying live and choose fish accordingly. Better yet, go catch some!! ::wink::

Frog legs - We've found them in larger groceries in the seafood section, so ask there first! If you can't get them, subsitute the "little" drumstick out of the chicken wings. The taste is reasonably close and so is the size.

A Note to Educators

One of the biggest mistakes made in the education of today's youth is the homogenization of the Native American people. The tapestry woven by the myriad of their history, their stories, their traditions are truely the colors of the wind. If you are planning to spend time with your students studying the Native Americans, then please do it right. Teach them the uniqueness and diversity of a proud and strong race. My children, my ancestors and I will be forever in your debt. If you need help preparing, please visit the GWK Resource page for links to wonderful web sites that can help you learn to help you teach.

Learning the truth about the Native Americans and sharing that truth with your students is exciting, fun and important. It's also your responsibility as an educator.

Thanks!!

Culturally Correct Definitions

Clothing

Is called exactly that. Not "costumes." Costumes are what you wear in plays or on Halloween. Ceremonial clothing (the fancy outfits you see at powwows) is often referred to as "regalia." Women wore dresses. Men wore shirts, leggings (pants), or breech clouts dependent on what climate they were in and what season it was. Not all tribes dressed the same way! War bonnets were not traditional to eastern cultures. Hide clothing (buckskin) was not worn in the east very much after the first European contact was made and cloth became available.

Indian People

Those from the U.S. are called Native Americans or American Indians. Those from India are called Indians. Some Native Americans also use the terms The People and First Nation.

Language

There are hundreds of dialects and languages, many of which are almost lost. A person doesn't "speak Indian" and not all words you hear are from one language. If you want to know where the word is from, ask the person using it.

The Names of Tribes

The names most people are familiar with are often inaccurate. For instance, the Cherokee are really the Tsalagi. Cherokee was another tribe's name for the Tsalagi, and was what the Europeans learned to call them. Another example is the Sioux Nation which is actually made up of Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people. Those groups break down into even more groups.

Housing

Not all Native American cultures lived in tipis. Again, this is a plains culture tradition. Eastern cultures tended to live in structures similar to cabins and built from wood. Speaking from experience, tipis are not designed for use in the Southeast where the rain comes straight down!!

Music

While today's powwows have blended music from all the nations to some degree, there are definite differences in the music styles of the various culture. A good music or bookstore can help you select the right music for the culture you are studying.

Dance

Again, powwows have blended the dances and now many are shared across all the nations. The most common women's dances are the women's traditional (slow and graceful), women's jingle dress (lively and named after the metal cones that decorate the dress and jingle as they dance), women's fancy shawl (also lively). Men's dances can include the traditional, sneak up, duck and dive, and grass dance. The dance regalia varies depending on which type of dance the competitors are doing.

Powwows

A powwow is a gathering of Native Americans to celebrate, share, dance, and sing. Many powwows are held across the country. Some are called "intertribal," meaning any people of any nation can join. Some powwows limit entry in the competions to only those people of proven Native American descent. Powwows are a great place to learn about modern Native Americans and, if the announcer is good, to learn quite a bit about the traditions of the dances and the regalia.

Caution: There is a special set of rules for watching a powwow.

Never enter the dance circle unless the announcer has asked spectators to join the dance.
Never touch a dancer's regalia! Dirt and oil on your hands can ruin the materials, some items are very old or sacred, and its considered offensive.
Honor their traditions. Many of the songs are special and the spectators will be asked to stand during the song and/or remain silent. To not do so is rude.
Don't take anyone's picture without asking first.
If the announcer calls for an "Indian Two-step" and you are asked to dance, then dance or pay the dancer. This is typically a dance where a female will ask a male. To refuse to dance with her and not pay her instead dishonors her in front of her people. Don't worry about how you might look to your friends. Go into the ring with her and dance. You'll enjoy yourself in the long run and make a new friend.