UNIT+1+--+WHO+WAS+HERE+FIRST?

="WHO WAS HERE FIRST?"=

Objectives:
1. Develop a timeline of Asian settlement of the Western hemisphere and chart significant developments over time. 2. Make cultural generalizations about the diverse peoples that inhabited North America using a regional chart. 3. Compare and conrast similarities and differences of Native American tribes. 4. Discuss the perspectives of Native American cultures prior to European contact. 5. Explain why Native Americans were vulnerable to European conquest.

"We were here first!"
As you have read in //DKMAH// and //American Promise// p. 3-32, there have been disputes in the past about who discovered America first. Much of this has to do with who writes history. There is a theory in historiography that the "Winners" write history, and their version dominates other narratives. Thankfully, this has changed dramatically over the past two decades or so, but until recently, this was largely the case, especially with the Native American or Indian version of American history.

After reading //American Promise//, you now realize that the European and U.S. chapters of American history are relatively short compared to the amount of time that natives lived in the Americas. Unfortunately, the lack of written documents and oral history passed down from Native Americans leaves these thousands of years up to vast generalizations, guesswork, and oversimplification. Since the AP exam does not include many, if any, questions from this era, we will only spend a couple of days talking about this massive historical age. However, I believe it is important to recognize these myriad cultures and their diverse histories.

First Annual AP U.S. Native American Pow-Wow! (August 19-20)
Since we do not have many written sources from this "mammoth" era, too much is left to conjecture. Hopefully through reading and discussions, you have been able to develop an appreciation for Native American history and culture. As with all people, stereotypes blur individuality. Native Americans possessed just as many qualities and flaws as any other cultures in history. For our next class, I hope you will gain a more experiential appreciation of the distinct Native American cultures that existed throughout North America by having our own First Annual AP Native American Pow-Wow.

"What is a Pow-Wow?," you ask. In modern terms, it is more like a festival consisting of singing and dancing among particular tribes. In the past, it also had a political component. Amidst all the singing, dancing, and eating, important tribal decisions were made; trade took place; marriages arranged. Our Pow-Wow will be a hybrid of these activities. To see actual modern Pow-Wows, check out the following links:

Pow-Wow TV: http://tv.powwows.com/ These are videos of several different tribes' Pow-Wows.

Pow-Wows.com: http://www.powwows.com/info/?p=47 This is from the same website, but it consists mainly of background information.

Before we can plan our Pow-Wow, you and a partner need to select a tribe. For this first project, I will assign you partners. Together, you will learn about your tribe with the help of books from the back of the room and on-line resources as you deem necessary. Then, you will need to communicate with your partner and plan how you will introduce your tribe to us in a creative way during our Pow-Wow. Ideally, you will come dressed in traditional costumes and convey basic cultural traditions and beliefs to us in a compelling way. During the second part of our Pow-Wow, you will lead us in some type of cultural practice of your tribe. It can be a dance, song, music, chant, writing, artwork, or anything you deem worthy. Planning our Pow-Wow will be your homework tonight.

You will be graded on the following:


 * Preparation: Did you come prepared with research and evidence about your tribe? Was it credible? Did you wear native attire?
 * Presentation: Did you creatively and effectively convey key elements about your tribe's culture, customs and dress?
 * Experience: Did you creatively and effectively design a brief cultural experience for us from your tribal customs and traditions?

I'm looking very forward to this, and I hope that it is a fun way for us to begin our romp through American history together.

__Pow-Wow Schedule of Events__

 * ====**Preparation (10 minutes)**====
 * **Introductions (20 minutes)**
 * **Experiences (30 minutes)**
 * **Reflections (15 minutes)**

Soo, Eeho, Annie

Pow-Wow Collage

 * Homework:** //APP// p. 9-29