First post - Native American Biographies - A-Z

I reviewed a very interesting webpage called Native American Biographies - A to Z, which was created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, and can be found at the following link: http://www.42explore2.com/native3.htm.  The website provides a list of famous Native Americans, as well links to their biographies.  It is an excellent resource for learning more about specific Native Americans, as well as learning more about their contributions and lives (http://www.42explore2.com/native3.htm).  

Source: (http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/sacagawea.htm)

In particular, I was interested in learning more about Sacagawae, a young Native American woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on part of their journey.  Sacagawae was useful to Lewis and Clark because she was able to act as an interpreter when they encountered other Native Americans.  She was also helpful to them because it improved their image to have a woman amongst their crew.  It seemed that this was almost a sign of peace they could use when meeting with other Native Americans (http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/sacagawea.htm).  

Source: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/blackkettle.htm

Another interesting account is that of Black Kettle, a Southern Cheyenne chief.  He was able to escape the Sand Creek Massacre.  He was also known for trying to promote peace between the Cheyenne nation and the non-natives, even amidst all of the violence.  Black Kettle tried to resolve the conflict by signing the Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867, however, the other party involved did not hold up their end of the bargain (http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/blackkettle.htm).

Overall, I would recommend this website for anyone who is interested in learning more about the real biographies of some famous Native Americans.  Sometimes, such as in the case of Pocahontas, the information we learn about Native Americans is a highly fictionalized account.  It is always important to learn the true story of their lives. 

 

Works Cited

Johnson, L. & Lamb, A. Native American Biographies – A to Z. 42Explore2, 2001. Web. 30 May 2015.

New Perspectives on the West. PBS, n.d. Web. 30 May 2015.

Module 1 Blog

Interestingly Module 1 resources and links led me to a very interesting and varied site that led me to several other, which when time permits, I will explore in much greater detail. I think that fortunately for me the information that is on these web sites falls in to my interdisciplinary degree plan of Environment and Native American Studies. The reasoning for this is I feel that we have an opportunity to learn from peoples that have adapted their need to nature through environmentally sustainable practices rather than attempting to adapt nature to their needs. The last link that I have posted takes you to a web site that connects practices of indigenous people of the north and their attempts to adapt to climate change as it is affecting the environment that surrounds them. I believe that by educating ourselves about how indigenous peoples treat the environment on their limited scale we can adapt our use of the environment and naturals resources within those same practices mindset, proportionally, to leave an enduring legacy of sustainability for future generations.

“Climate Frontlines: A global forum for indigenous peoples, small islands and vulnerable communities”

 The struggle for indigenous peoples is adapting traditional knowledge and practices to global climate change, as this change affects the availability of resources that indigenous people depend on for food and shelter. Perhaps adaptation may not be as harsh on those people that have traditionally made due with less and lived sustainably  than those that have gotten accustomed to living in excess.

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/priority-areas/links/

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/

http://iite.unesco.org/courses/climate_change/en/index.html

Start Blogging

Hello Class,

Some of you may be blogging pros, while I know others are blogging novices.

If you are here, clearly you already read and followed the instructions from Module 1 on blogging. The first assignment states:

Remember, the point of journaling is to convey your ideas about what you are learning, but since you are in an academic format, it should be substantiated by the information that you are exposed to in this course. It does not matter if you like or dislike something; what matters is why you feel the way you do and what lead you in the sources you reviewed to feel that way.

1. Write a 250 word minimum piece of writing that can be used in a blog post. Your writing must document and describe one of the web resources in Module 01 and tell us, the reader what you have learned from it. Do not assume that all of your readers are familiar with the resource. Here is a good link for composing a quality academic journal post: http://faculty.weber.edu/kmackay/academic_journal.htm

So have fun, be creative, load pictures, link important websites. Although this is an academic exercise, I prefer that you explore your creative side, express yourself freely.

Enjoy.

Soo Tribe Pow Wow 2013 my peeps

Soo Tribe Annual 4th of July Pow Wow 2013