For Families (12 resources)

Clearing a Path for Indigenous Teachers

Clearing a Path for Indigenous Teachers

Article

Educators are finding ways to get Indigenous teachers into classrooms.

Life Along the River: The Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia

Life Along the River: The Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia

Classroom

This online storybook explores the history and contemporary life of the Pamunkey people.

Five Ideas to Change Teaching about Thanksgiving in Classrooms and at Home

Five Ideas to Change Teaching about Thanksgiving in Classrooms and at Home

Blog

Parent and museum educator Renée Gokey (Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma) shares strategies for teaching about Thanksgiving and introducing students to more meaningful content about Native Americans during Native American Heritage Month and throughout the year.

Cornhusk Dragonfly

Cornhusk Dragonfly

Video

Corn was first domesticated by the Indigenous people of Mexico. Planted in late spring and harvested at the end of summer, corn has long been an important food source for many communities throughout North and South America. Cornhusk is also a useful material that can be used to create everything from dolls to bags and artwork. Create a cornhusk dragonfly.

Sunflower Bracelet

Sunflower Bracelet

Video

Sunflowers are a common crop in Indigenous communities throughout North America. This familiar flower is used as a food source, and the sunflower design is used to create beautiful beadwork. Beadwork is a form of decoration and adornment that honors and shows respect for individuals and natural resources, and represents a valuable form of Native expression and artistic skill. Create a sunflower chain bracelet.

Summer Strawberry

Summer Strawberry

Video

Strawberries are celebrated every year by many Native communities. The plants flower in late spring and bring an abundance of nourishing fruit throughout the summer. They have long been enjoyed by Native people as the first fruit after long winter months. Learn more and have fun creating a decorative paper strawberry.

Five Ideas for Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Five Ideas for Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Blog

From reading Indigenous authors to exploring Native plants, these activities are suitable for all ages.

When They See Us

When They See Us

Article

“Molly of Denali” writer Vera Starbard (Tlingit/Dena’ina) talks about the importance of distinguishing cultural appreciation from appropriation.

'If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving' by Chris Newell Exposes New Truths About a Major American Holiday

'If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving' by Chris Newell Exposes New Truths About a Major American Holiday

Blog

This book explores the events surrounding the original feast at Plimoth from a Native perspective.

Native Voices in Children’s Literature

Native Voices in Children’s Literature

Video

Teachers are introduced to children’s books by Native writers, criteria for evaluating children’s books about Native peoples, and suggestions for using books at story time or for more in-depth cross-disciplinary studies.

Native Ghosts and the Supernatural

Native Ghosts and the Supernatural

Blog

In “Living Ghosts and Mysterious Monsters,” a Native storyteller shares ancient and contemporary scary stories.

Maya Astronomy and Mathematics—Yesterday and Today

Maya Astronomy and Mathematics—Yesterday and Today

Video

This 75-minute teacher webinar focused on the ways in which the Maya have used the Sun to track time for thousands of years.