Introduction to Native American Social Studies Curricula
By Nancy Maness, M.A.

Pictures: East

Ancestry: Social, Oneida/Iroquois, Wisconsin, ca. 1924

Marquette University Libraries, Negative #1222

•     Level 5: Although of mixed racial ancestry, these girls all belong to the Oneida Nation, one of the five founding tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy whose ancient homeland is in New York. The Oneida supported the colonist cause in the American Revolution but by 1833, most moved to Wisconsin to preserve their tribal community and avoid confrontation with non-Indian settlers.

Government meeting: History, Iroquois, Ontario Canada, 1914

Marquette University Libraries

•     Level 3: This is a meeting of the Iroquois Six Nations Council. Note the flags symbolizing the many clans among these tribes.

•     Level 4: Some historians believe that the United States government is modeled after the Iroquois government.

•     Level 6: The Iroquois Six Nations include five founding nations—the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca, plus the Tuscarora who joined in 1722.

Government symbol: History, Mohawk/Iroquois, Ontario Canada, 1914

Marquette University Libraries, Negative #1258

•     Level 5: Chief Frank McDonald Jacobs is wearing a wampum belt showing the unity of the original five Iroquois nations with linked squares representing the nations and their ties to each other.

Harvesting rice: Economic, Ojibwa, Wisconsin, no date

Marquette University Libraries, Negative #1219

•     Level 4: Wild rice is a good source of starch and it grows well in shallow river waters. Ojibwa and other Great Lakes tribes

House after: Choctaw, Oklahoma, 1918

Marquette University Libraries, Negative #0614

•     Level 4: This house looks somewhat like the ancient homes built in the Southeastern United States. Both were small rectangular buildings with peaked roofs and mud plastered (adobe-like) walls at least in part. Why would mud plaster be used on a chimney?

House before: Maya, Chiapas, Mexico, 1993

By Mark Thiel, Marquette University Libraries

•     Level 4: These traditional native houses in Mexico look somewhat like the ancient homes built in the Southeastern United States. Both were small rectangular buildings with peaked roofs covered with grass or thatch.

Lacrosse: Social, Choctaw, Mississippi, ca. 1900

Marquette University Libraries, Negative #0335

•     Level 3: According to many Native Americans, it is important to give thanks to the Creator for the gift of the game.

•     Level 4: In ancient times, the game was played across Eastern North America, but the rules varied from tribe to tribe. In general, northern players used one stick and southern players used two (“called “stick ball”). How many sticks are these players using?

•     Level 5: Lacrosse is an athletic game, which builds strength and stamina. In ancient times, playing fields were up to 500 yards long and a single game could continue for days. Why are these players wearing lots of clothes?

Moccasin game: Social, Ojibwa, Wisconsin, ca. 1900

Marquette University Libraries, Negative #1355

•     Level 4: The moccasin game is a competitive guessing game involving two teams taking turns hiding and guessing the location of a marble under a row of moccasins. The hiding is done to the rhythm of a song with drum accompaniment and sticks are used to keep score.

Monk’s Mound: History, Illinois, ca. 900-1200 A. D.

Cahokia Mounds Historical Site

•     Level 4: This mound is the largest pre-Columbian earthwork in the Americas and it is believed it was used for religious worship. It measures 100 feet high and covers 14 acres. Note the stairs leading to the top.

•     Level 5: The name “Monk’s Mound” refers to a monastery, which was built on the side of the mound during the 1700s.

Spear fishing: Economic, Ojibwa, Minnesota or Wisconsin, ca. 1900

By Reed, Marquette University Libraries, Negative #1245

•     Level 4: Across the Great Lakes area, American Indians have fished with spears since ancient times.