National Native American Heritage Month Resources

On Dec. 14, 1915, Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, presented at the White House endorsements from

24 state governments for a day to honor Indians. But the federal government didn’t take action until 1983,

when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 13 as American Indian Day. In 1990, President George

H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November as National American Indian

Heritage Month. It is now called National Native American Heritage Month. DiversityInc

The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge

the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the

general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have

faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer

these challenges. National Congress of American Indians

American Indian FAQ for Kids

Questions and answers about Native Americans in the past and present.

Facts for Kids: Algonquian Indian Tribes

Questions and answers about the Algonquian tribes.

Native American Houses

Pictures and descriptions of ten different types of American Indian houses.

Native American Hairstyles

Pictures and descriptions of traditional hairstyles in many different Native American tribes.

Native American Indian Clothing and Regalia

Photographs of Native American clothing and regalia, including special pages on headdresses.

Native American Food

A brief introduction to Native American hunting, gathering, farming, and fishing techniques, with links to

recipes.

Native American State Names

The Native American origins and meanings of the names of US states.

Native American Books

See our reading list of books (and a few movies) by, for, and about American Indians.

Native American Art

See photographs, history, and links about many different American Indian arts and crafts.

Native American Legends

Read folklore and traditional stories of American Indians from many tribes.

Native American Picture Dictionaries

Learn the names of animals in various American Indian languages.

Map of North American Pre-Contact Housing

Pictures of 12 different housing types

Native American Housing

Aadizookaanag

Traditional stories, legends and myths organized by tribe

Fact sheets about specific American Indian tribes Native American Crafts Unit

The activities illustrate some of the crafts, techniques, and materials which Native and Colonial children

might have used for their toys and crafts.

Native American Poetry and Stories

Story telling is a living breathing creature. It thrives, grows & adapts in the heart of each new generation

of story teller.

Great Chiefs and Leaders

Biographies and facts about the Native Americans' political, military, and religious leaders.

Lessons

Mini-Unit Topic: Native Americans – Grade 1 Students read "Arrow to the Sun" and complete activities. Native Americans – Grades 1-3 Integrated unit on Native Americans with duration of 14 days. A Storytelling Festival Activity to encourage students to explore native cultures of America. Native American Village – Grades K-2 This lesson lets students use their creativity and imagination. They work together to create a replica of a Native American village. Traditions and Languages of Three Native Cultures: Tlingit, Lakota, & Cherokee – Grades K-2 What are some of the traditions of the Lakota, Tlingit, and Cherokee? How is a people's language tied to its traditions? Why is it important to preserve the traditions and languages of native cultures? Native American Cultures Across the U.S. – Grades K-2

How are American Indians represented in today's society? What objects and practices do we associate

with Indian culture? What are some actual customs and traditions of specific Native American groups?

Videos

Iroquois - BrainPop Jr.

Annie and Moby introduce the culture, customs, traditions, and history of the Iroquois people. You'll learn

about the Six Nations (the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscacora) and how these

Native Americans lived long ago. See how their lives changed when the settlers began arriving in the

1600s.

C W Y Cherokee – BrainPop Jr.

In this movie, you’ll learn about Cherokee history and culture. Explore different Cherokee traditions such

as Stomp Dances, stickball, basket weaving, and pottery. Learn how Sequoyah created a way to write the

Cherokee language. Find out how President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, forcing

native people from their lands and onto the Trail of Tears. Find out how Cherokee people live today.

Pueblo – BrainPop Jr.

In this movie, you’ll learn about this group of different Native American communities that live in the

Southwest. Groups such as the Hopi, Zuni, Acoma, Taos, Santo Domingo, and Laguna are all part of the

Pueblo people. The Pueblo people are known for their homes and buildings, which are made of stone or

adobe, a type of red clay. You’ll explore their culture and the traditions that have been passed down from

their ancestors for hundreds of years.

Chief Joseph – BrainPop Jr.

In this social studies movie, Annie and Moby explore the life of Chief Joseph, leader of the Wallowa band

of Nez Perce in the Pacific Northwest. You'll see how settlers of the American West and the United States

government forced the Nez Perce from their land. You'll also learn about hard choices Chief Joseph had

to make as he led the tribe to fight the U.S Army and relocate his people to reservations.

American Indians – BrainPop

In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby introduce you to American Indians, their society and their culture!

You’ll learn why the term Indian is a mistake, and where these peoples probably came from before

settling in the Americas. Discover some of the differences between tribes, and learn about some complex

indigenous societies of South and Central America. Finally, you’ll find out what happened to American

Indian societies once European explorers and settlers found the New World. (We’ll say this up front: It

wasn’t pretty.)

Wounded Knee Massacre – BrainPop

On the morning of December 29, 1890, a detachment of U.S. troops opened fire on a band of hungry,

ragged Sioux Indians near Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota. It was one of the darkest events in

American history.

Seminole Wars - BrainPop

In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby journey into the Florida Everglades to unveil the causes and

consequences of the Seminole Wars, the costliest Indian conflict in U.S. history. Discover how the

Seminoles were an Indian nation unlike any other, made up of people of European, Indian, and African

descent. Explore the life of Osceola, the celebrated war chief who battled the US Army to a standstill, in

spite of far smaller numbers and limited technology. And see how the Seminole successfully stood their

ground against the unjust policies of Indian removal, slavery, and discrimination!

Trail of Tears – BrainPop

In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby lead the way as they reveal one of the saddest episodes in United

States history. Learn how white settlers’ desire for new land threatened the ancestral homelands of

American Indians, especially those in the southeast. Explore the steps taken by the government to free

up land in Georgia and Tennessee by moving entire tribes westward. Experience the terrible suffering

endured by the Choctaw and the Cherokee as they marched to Indian Territory during the 1830s. And

discover what lessons we can learn from this tragic era in American history.

Iroquois Confederacy – BrainPop

In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby teach you all about the Iroquois Confederacy, a group of six rival

American Indian nations who put aside their differences to form a powerful alliance. You’ll see how the

territories of the six nations formed a symbolic longhouse across upstate New York--and learn exactly

what a longhouse is! Explore Iroquois culture, from wampum belts to the progressive role of women. And

learn how wars against rival Indians, the French, and eventually the United States shaped the Iroquois

nations of today.

Native Peoples of the Regions – Discovery Streaming

Lists Native American tribes from each of the five regions of the United States, including the Iroquois,

Cherokee, Lakota Sioux, Hopi, and Zuni.

The Teepee - Discovery Streaming

A family sets up a tepee as they would have in pre-European America. The buffalo is the source of food,

clothing, shelter, and tools.

Preparing Meals - Discovery Streaming

A family makes fire and cooks as they would have in pre-European America.

Fun and Games - Discovery Streaming

Native American children played a variety of games.

Making Clothing and Crafts - Discovery Streaming

Everyday clothing was made from deerskin, using stone and bone tools. Special clothing was decorative.

Native American History Since the Arrival of Europeans - Discovery Streaming

Conflicts with Europeans led to the conquest of all Native American tribes, their extreme poverty, and

their isolation on reservations. Mistreatment and abuse by the government is explained.

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