We as concerned Native Women and mothers are presenting this site with ideas, links and projects to help stimulate and design a more modern approach to teaching your classroom or social group about our cultures. We will be including some examples of “stereotypes” on this site as well. Many instructors and uninformed people do not realize that offending and demeaning stereotyping and misinformation continues to harm and hinder our progress as a People.
This site came about from the thoughts of Native American women who have children or who know of children in public schools, social groups, churches and other organizations who are receiving a negative or uninformed view of Native Americans in real life and in the classroom or social setting. We believe teaching about our past culture and Ways, must include teaching about our progress and differences as separate Nations now and how we live, work and relate in the present. We cannot continue to sit back as "living artifacts" and allow incorrect teachings to hinder our children's self respect and ego.
Why are we, as Native Americans, "different"? There are many reasons, and many theories. I have been questioning this for several years.
Being adopted out by my Lakhota mother as a newborn, I was raised by non-Indian adoptive parents. As I grew up in white society, without knowledge of my adoption or Lakhota roots, I KNEW I was different.
I learned and thought different than my family and most of the people I came in contact with. Not in a bad way different, just different. Math and Science were my worst subjects, but I excelled at Physical Education, drawing classes and the "Fine Arts". But being in a home where academic knowledge and education was highly prized, my skills in those areas were reduced to second rate.
After I found my Lakhota family in 1989, and settled down in my new heritage and culture, I began to research as to "why" there are the differences. The outcome would fill many pages.
Please enjoy with me, the "differences" and how we can appreciate them and work to further the education of all our children in learning to live in harmony together on this place we call Mother Earth.
Enjoy this site and please feel free to contribute to our links and information.
California Missions and Genocide
When "Honoring" Our Culture Turns into Theft
Reviewed Native Education Links
