Indians in the Curriculum:
20 Handouts for Middle and High School
History and Social Studies
By Kerry Dunne

Handout 1 Activities: Natick

Background:

A powerful folksong by Rick Lee, 1984, on CD-ROM, 1995. English colonists settled Massachusetts Bay Colony during the 1600's and created a Natick Reservation for the neighboring Natick people, which allowed the Natick to keep their autonomy while living in peace with the English. But in 1675, Massachusetts feared a security risk during their war with Metacom (King Phillip's War) and moved the Natick to Deer Island, a remote place in Boston harbor where most died from disease and starvation. Today, Deer Island is a sewage treatment plant.

Study and Discuss:

1.     Where does the word Natick come from?

2.     Who was John Eliot?

3.     What became of the Natick people?

4.     Is it appropriate for Natick High School to use "Redmen" as a sports-team mascot? Why or why not?

Resources 1: Natick