The Story of Native Americans
Task 1 (Introduction)
A. Watch our video about Native Americans and note down 5-8 important points.
B. Look at the pictures below and note down ideas that come to your mind. Make a list of keywords and share with your partner or class.
Task 2 (Vocabulary)
Practice useful vocabulary on Quizlet. You may need to register to gain full access.
- Click HERE for the English-English vocabulary list.
- Click HERE for the English-Norwegian vocabulary list.
Task 3 (Listening comprehension)
Listen to the recording and do the multiple-choice test below. You may pause the recording and listen multiple times, if necessary.
Task 4 (Reading practice)
- Read the text below aloud and record your voice.
- Listen to the recording, record again if necessary, and download the recording when you are happy with its quality.
- Compare your recording with the original recording in Task 3. Practice saying the words you mispronounce.
Click here to see the text.
Native Americans: Past and Present
Native Americans are the original people of the United States. Today, over 5 million Native Americans live in the country, with about 20% living on reservations.
Early History
Long ago, Native Americans lived all over North America. They had many different languages and ways of life. Some hunted, some fished, and others farmed. In 1492, Columbus arrived in America. He thought he was in India, so he called the native people “Indians.” After that, many settlers from Europe came to live in North America.
Problems with Settlers
At first, Native Americans shared their land with new settlers. But as more settlers came, conflicts started. Many Native Americans lost their land or died from new diseases brought by the Europeans.
Life on Reservations
The US government put Native Americans on reservations. These were areas of land set aside for them. Life was hard on reservations, and the land was of poor quality. Many people couldn’t find work and became poor.
Native Americans were not allowed to practice their religion freely. Children were sent to special boarding schools to learn the settlers’ ways and lost much of their culture and language.
Modern Times
Things slowly got better. In 1924, Native Americans became U.S. citizens. Later, they gained the right to vote. Today, some tribes run businesses on reservations. Casinos are popular in some places.
Native American Influence
Native American words are used for many place names in the U.S., like Ohio and Michigan. Native Americans taught settlers to grow corn and potatoes. They also invented things like canoes and snowshoes.
Challenges Today
Native Americans still face problems. They often have low incomes and high unemployment. But many are proud of their history and are working to keep their culture alive.
Task 5 (Drag and drop)
Below is a summary of the text you have just read with missing words. Drag the words in the margin into the correct blanks.
Task 5 (Summarizing the text)
If necessary, translate the text into your language and then write a summary of the text in 80-100 words. Share the summary with your partner or with us in the commentary field below.
Task 6 (Reading a longer text)
Read the text “Native Americans: a Journey through Time” and choose one topic mentioned there for in-depth research, such as “The Trail of Tears.”
You may look up unfamiliar words in the Cambridge Dictionary search box below.
Native Americans: A Journey Through Time
Native Americans, the indigenous peoples of the United States, have a rich and complex history that spans thousands of years. Today, over 5 million people identify as Native American, with approximately 20% residing on reservations across the country.
Ancient Roots and Diverse Cultures
Long before European contact, Native American societies thrived across North America. These cultures were incredibly diverse, with hundreds of distinct languages and unique ways of life adapted to their specific environments. For example:
- The Iroquois in the Northeast developed sophisticated agricultural techniques, growing the “Three Sisters” – corn, beans, and squash.
- The Plains tribes, such as the Lakota and Cheyenne, were skilled horsemen and buffalo hunters.
- The Pueblo peoples of the Southwest created intricate cliff dwellings and developed advanced irrigation systems for desert farming.
European Contact and Conflict
The arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 marked the beginning of a tumultuous era for Native Americans. Initially, many tribes welcomed and traded with European settlers. The Wampanoag, for instance, helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter at Plymouth.
However, as more Europeans arrived seeking land and resources, conflicts escalated. Diseases like smallpox, to which Native Americans had no immunity, decimated populations. The Columbian Exchange, while bringing new crops like potatoes and tomatoes to Europe, also led to the loss of traditional Native American foodways and agricultural practices.
The Reservation Era
In the 19th century, the U.S. government established the reservation system, forcibly relocating Native Americans to designated areas. This policy had devastating effects:
- The Trail of Tears (1830s) forced the Cherokee and other Southeastern tribes to march westward, resulting in thousands of deaths.
- The quality of reservation land was often poor, making traditional livelihoods difficult or impossible.
- Boarding schools, like the infamous Carlisle Indian Industrial School, separated children from their families and cultures, aiming to “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.”
Progress and Perseverance
Despite these challenges, Native Americans have shown remarkable resilience. Key developments include:
- The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in the country.
- The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 gave tribes more control over their affairs.
- Establishing tribal colleges, like Diné College on the Navajo Nation, to preserve language and culture while providing higher education.
Contemporary Influence and Challenges
Native American contributions to American culture are significant and ongoing:
- Place names: Over half of U.S. states have names derived from Native American languages.
- Food: The global popularity of foods like corn, potatoes, and chocolate can be traced back to Native American agriculture.
- Environmental stewardship: Many tribes are at the forefront of conservation efforts, such as the Yurok Tribe’s salmon restoration projects in California.
However, challenges persist. Native Americans face higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and health issues compared to the general population. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted these disparities.
Cultural Renaissance
Today, many Native Americans are actively working to preserve and revitalize their cultures:
- Language immersion programs are helping to save endangered Native languages.
- Traditional arts, such as Navajo weaving and Hopi pottery, are being passed down to new generations.
- Native American literature, film, and music are gaining wider recognition, with authors like Louise Erdrich and musicians like Buffy Sainte-Marie achieving mainstream success.
As we move forward, it’s crucial to recognize Native Americans’ ongoing contributions to the fabric of American society and support their efforts for self-determination and cultural preservation.
Sources
- National Congress of American Indians. (2020). Tribal Nations and the United States: An Introduction.
- Dunbar-Ortiz, R. (2014). An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States. Beacon Press.
- U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs. (2021). 2021 American Indian Population and Labor Force Report.
- National Park Service. (2021). Native American Heritage.
- Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. (2020). Native Knowledge 360° Educational Initiative.
Task 7 (Mini-project)
Prepare an oral presentation:
- Search the internet for information on the topic you have chosen in Task 6. Take notes.
- Make a short oral presentation about it for your classmates (1-3 minutes).
- Use pictures to illustrate your presentation, but otherwise, try to speak without using your notes.
Task 8 (Rounding off with a song)
Listen to the song “Echoes of the Land,” which reflects on the Native American experience. What is the central message of the song, in your opinion? Discuss and compare ideas with your partner.