Who are the Native Americans?

Source A: Written by Columbus in 1492 Source B: Written by Columbus

th On the 34 day we sighted land. And O most excellent gold! Whoever has gold there I found many islands filled with has a treasure which gives him the power countless people. And I have taken to get what he wants. It lets him do what possession of all of them for their he wants in the world and even helps souls Highnesses [King Ferdinand and Queen into heaven. Isabella of Spain] with no opposition.

Source C

A picture of Arawak tribespeople

greeting Columbus after he landed on the island of Hispaniola in 1492. They are shown giving him gold and jewels. In fact

they gave him parrots, spears and cloth, and were not wearing loincloths (small

cloth worn to cover a person’s private parts) but feathers and body paint. This picture was drawn by a Belgian artist in 1594.

1. Why did Columbus use the name ‘Indians’ to describe Native American people?

2. Read sources A and B. Now complete the following sentence:

Sources A and B suggest to me that what Columbus most wanted from his voyage were...

3. Study Source C. Now complete the following sentences:

Source C is useful for finding out about Columbus’ arrival on Hispaniola because...

However, it may not give us a completely accurate idea of what really happened because...

4. Why do you think that many modern Native Americans do not like to be described as ‘Indians’? Living on the Plains

The Plains are a great area of rolling grassland in the heart of North America. Many of the tribes living there when the first Europeans met them in the 19th century had once lived on the edges of the Plains in settled villages, mixing farming with hunting. The most important animal hunted was the buffalo, which roamed the Plains in their millions. For centuries these had been hunted on foot. In fact, much of the grassland was created by Native Americans setting fire to the vegetation to encourage animals to come and feed on the tender new grass – and be killed by humans!

From about 1720 this changed. Horses lost by early Spanish settlers began to be used by some Native Americans, which transformed their lives. Tribes such as the , Blackfeet, , Comanche, Crow and Lakota (called ‘’ by their enemies) gave up farming and became nomadic hunters, following the buffalo and living in ‘tipis’ (tents) made from buffalo hide. In fact, the buffalo supplied almost all their needs. Its fur and hide provided clothes, blankets, shelter; its meat gave food; bones gave tools and arrow heads; hooves were used as tools and rattles, or boiled to make glue; tails made fly swats; dung was burned as fuel.

The population of the Plains Native Americans went up as more moved onto the Plains. Between 1800 and 1850 about 50% of the buffalo on the Plains were killed by these Plains tribes. Some tribes though, such as the Mandan, Pawnee and Hidatsa, continued the old way of life. They lived in permanent villages growing crops such as maize, and only hunting for part of the year.

Source A: A Mandan village. The painting shows earth houses, buffalo skulls, sacred poles and the village centre, marked by the barrel-shaped object.

Source B: A Comanche village of ‘tipi’ tents, with buffalo hides being cleaned and dried.

Questions:

1. Study sources A and B. Describe the differences between the Mandan and Comanche villages.

2. Why did the Mandan and Comanche tribes live in such different kinds of villages?

3. Why did horses become so important to Plains tribes?

4. Why do you think that modern British people seem less affected by their environment than Native Americans were in the past?

Investigation - What kind of a man was Custer?

Lieutenant Colonel led the US Seventh Cavalry against a combined force of around 2000 Lakota and Cheyenne warriors at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He and around 260 of his men were killed during that battle. Your task is to decide what kind of a man Custer was, using the sources to back up your point of view.

Source 1: What were Custer’s Motives for the attack at the Little Bighorn?

In 1874 Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer led an expedition to the of Dakota. He reported that he discovered gold in the area. The following year the United States government attempted to buy the Black Hills for six million dollars from the Native Americans but the area was considered sacred by the Sioux and they refused to sell. Custer's story attracted gold hunters and the Sioux tried to resist by fighting them.

On 22nd June, George A. Custer and 655 men were sent out to locate the villages of the Sioux and Cheyenne involved in the fighting. A very large encampment was discovered three days later. It was over 15 miles away and even with field glasses Custer was unable to discover the number of warriors the camp contained. Instead of waiting for the arrival of the rest of the army led by General Alfred Terry, Custer decided to act straight way. He divided his force into three battalions in order to attack the camp from three different directions.

Source 2: Opinions on Custer by people who knew him:

"I have never met a more enterprising, gallant or dangerous enemy during those four years of terrible war." Major General T L Rosser "A cold-blooded, untruthful, unprincipled man. He is universally despised by all the officers of his regiment." General Stanley, Custer's commanding officer in 1872.

"The honour of his country mattered little compared to the glorious name of ‘George A. Custer’. The hardship and danger to his men were worthy of little thought when visions of a promotion floated in front of him." T. Ewert, Private 7th Cavalry

"He was too hard on his men and horses. He changed his mind too often. He was always right. He never asked others opinions. When he got a notion, we had to go." J Horner, Corporal, 7th Cavalry

Source 3: A painting of ‘Custer’s Last Stand’ by an artist not present at the battle

Questions:

Read Source 1:

1. What do you think Custer’s intentions were when he discovered the Native American camp? 2. What do you think his opinion was of Native Americans

Read Source 2

3. What impressions do you get of Custer from these quotes?

4. Why do you think that people have very different views about Custer?

Study Source 3:

5. What impression do you get of Custer from this painting? 6. Do you think that we can trust this painting to be an accurate depiction of what happened? Explain your answer.

7. Looking at ALL the sources, and using your own knowledge of the events at Little Bighorn, what is your overall opinion of Custer? Answer in as much detail as you can, and refer to the sources to back up your points.

Design your own totem pole!

A hand carved totem pole is not a perfect representation of the people and creatures shown so don’t worry if your drawing doesn’t look totally realistic – the idea is just to get across the character of the creature or person shown.

The basic shape is a tall rectangle. If you want to put an eagle at the top then draw large wing shapes on both sides a little lower than the top.

Divide the rectangle into three or four squares and rectangles – one for each creature or person you want to include. Remember variety is interest so have two rectangles or two squares.

The totem pole tells a story or describes a family, so think about whose story you are going to tell – your own? Your family’s?

Draw your designs to fit inside the squares and the rectangles of the totem pole. Your designs can be an owl, bear, beaver, dog, person, walrus or anything you want them to be – the meanings of many animals and birds can be found on the next page of the worksheet.

The style of art used in totem poles is a style that fills in blank spaces with lines and shapes, so if you have a space that is empty put something in it. The easiest way is to outline things with another line.

When you have worked out the design go over it in a fine tipped marker or colored pencils. The colors used in totem poles were made from natural sources so they were limited to white, black, red, brown, a very little bit of blue.

Animal Totems and their meanings:

Alligator: maternal, vengeful Ant: group-minded; patient; active; industrious Antelope: active; agile; willing to sacrifice Armadillo: safety orientated, cautious Badger: courageous; aggressive; healing and energising Bat: long-living Bear: industrious; instinctive; healing; powerful; protective of the world; strong Beaver: determined; strong-willed; constructive; protective Bee: organised; industrious; protective; wise; social; enthusiastic about life Buffalo: spiritual; strong Butterfly: creative; transforming Cat: protective; independent; mysterious; magical Cheetah: swift; focused; insightful Cow: nurturing; maternal Coyote: intelligent; stealthy; tricky; mischievous Crane: independent; just; enduring; intelligent; vigilant Crow: strong morals; changeable; creative; spiritual; energetic; just Deer: intellectual; gentle; kind; caring; graceful; innocent Dog: noble; faithful; loyal; good at learning; protective; guiding Dolphin: kind; wise; happy; intelligent Dragon: wise; powerful; fiery Dragonfly: carefree; imaginative Eagle: intelligent; courageous; spiritual; daring Elephant: strong; powerful; wise Elk: strong; agile; independent; pure;noble Falcon: adventurous; passionate; leader Fish: graceful Fox: cunning; agile; quick-witted; diplomatic Frog: transforming; sensitive; beautiful; powerful Gazelle: strong Goose: reliable; prudent; vigilant; parental; protective Hawk: gives information; intuitive; victorious; visionary Horse: independent; enduring; mobile; powerful; free Lion: family-orientated; strong; energetic; courageous; protective Lizard: good at conversation; visionary Llama: good with others Lynx: trustworthy; protective; discreet; guiding Moose: headstrong; enduring; steadfast; wise Mouse: observant; orderly; organised; detail-orientated Otter: playful; friendly; dynamic; joyful; helpful; generous Owl: insightful; informative; wise; silent Ox: self-sacrificing Peacock: dignified; self-confident Porcupine: companiable; trustworthy Rabbit: humble; balance; intuitive Raccoon: curious Raven: thinker; courageous; selfknowing; protective; magical Salmon: proud; intense; confident; wise; inspiring; rejuvenating Sea horse: confident; graceful Seal: loving; imaginative; creative Shark: enduring; adaptable Snake: impulsive; shrewd; energetic; wise Squirrel: organised Stag: ruling; beautiful; generous Swan: graceful; balanced; innocent; soulful Tiger: strong; powerful; energetic Turkey: generous; life-giving Turtle: nurturing; shy; protective Weasel: strong; energetic; ingenious Whale: wise; giving Wolf: loyal; persevering; successful; intuitive; good at learning; spirited Woodpecker: sensitive; protective; loyal