[Publib] Primary Sources - Nat'l American Indian Heritage Month

[Carole Bos]

The following free web resources were created to assist educators during National American Indian Heritage Month:

Before America's westward expansion, the United States government hired artists to document the unspoiled western wilderness.  Native Americans lived in many of these beautiful places.  (See chapters 2-4) http://www.awesomestories.com/history/go_west/go_west_ch2.htm 

Sacajawea, the teenaged Shoshone (whose name is also spelled "Sacagawea,"), served as an interpretor for Lewis and Clark and their "Corps of Discovery."  Who was she?  How did she help the expedition?  http://www.awesomestories.com/biography/sacajawea/sacajawea_ch1.htm

In the late 19th century, the U.S. government sent a Corps of Engineers to explore and survey territory west of the 100th meridian.  Members of that expedition took hundreds of photographs, now at the National Archives, which show Navajo living conditions at that time.  (See chapters 3-5) http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/wind_talkers/wind_talkers_ch3.htm 

In 1864, during America's war between the states, the federal government ordered the Navajo to make "The Long Walk" to Bosque Redondo, many dying on the way.  http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/wind_talkers/wind_talkers_ch2.htm 
After four years, the government allowed the Navajo to return to their homelands.  Schools were opened where Navajo children, forbidden to speak their native language, learned English.  http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/wind_talkers/wind_talkers_ch6.htm 
(To hear the Navajo language, go to the second paragraph of chapter 7 http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/wind_talkers/wind_talkers_ch7.htm and click on "language."  Each highlighted word takes you to an audio clip.  At the bottom of the page is a link to a Navajo-language song.  The first part of the recording translates the song into English.)

The Navajo language was used as a military code during World War II.  Twenty-nine Navajo men, recruited as United States Marines, created the code which was used in the Pacific war.  It was never broken and remained a national secret until 1968.   (See chapters 7-8, 11, 15-16)  http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/wind_talkers/wind_talkers_ch1.htm   

All these resources are freely available to educators, schools and libraries.  Simply request an academic membership with this form.  http://www.awesomestories.com/group_signup.php 

Carole Bos
Dean's Advisory Board
Grand Valley State University
bosc at gvsu.edu