My column today deals with learning Native American culture of the Indians of the Southeast. Many of the Indians of the Southeastern United States faced relocation in the late 1800’s. The Cherokee, Choctaw and Seminole originally lived further north in the American Southeast, but ended up in Southern Alabama, Mississippi and Florida or in Oklahoma when white settlers wanted the land. So, for the sake of this column, the Southeast includes Tennessee and North Carolina south to Florida and west to Oklahoma. My favorites in this column definitely include the Mandie books, written from a Christian perspective. However, not much native culture is included in them. If you can only purchase one fiction choice from this list, The Talking Earth contains the most history and culture of a native tribe.
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In Teaching and Learning about Multicultural Literature, author and researcher Janice Diessel states, “Multicultural literature is an aspect of multicultural education. If teachers take readers beyond identification with characters, beyond creating characters in their own images, to better understanding of people who seem “other,” they are helping to create a society in which people respect one another and ,out of respect, listen to one another.” (p122) That is my goal with this column — to introduce you to literature that will allow you to introduce your students to Native Americans so that they can learn to understand them.
CHEROKEE
The Cherokee: An Independent Nation by Anne M. Todd. Capstone Press, 2003, HB 0-7368-1355-1, 48p.
Non Fiction Grade 4-7
Author Anne Todd had three consultants in the writing of The Cherokee. All three are affiliated with one of the branches of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee: An Independent Nation is an excellent reference book. The chapters include: “The Cherokee,” “Life Among the Cherokee,” “Conflicts and Culture,” “Life in a Modern World,” and “Sharing the Old Ways.” Photographs illustrate the text. The book also includes a glossary, index, and a list of other resources. The book is part of the “American Indian Nations” series.
The Cherokee: Native Basket Weavers by Therese DeAngelis. Capstone Press, 2003. HB 0-7368-1535-X 32p.
Non Fiction Grade 1-4
The Cherokee: Native Basket Weavers is part of the “America’s First Peoples” series. Author Therese DeAngelis has done an excellent job of explaining Cherokee history and culture for younger elementary students. The photos and illustrations help the text come alive. The glossary, index, and additional resources make this an excellent book. The book is divided into eight short chapters dealing with basket making, Cherokee history, village life, and the Cherokee today. Hands-on activities help introduce Cherokee culture. Ms. DeAngelis had a Cherokee chief as her consultant.
Itse Selu by Daniel Pennington. Illustrated by Don Stewart. Charlesbridge, 1994. PB 0-88106-850-0 32 p.
Fiction Grades K-3
Itse Selu is the Cherokee harvest festival. In the preface, Professor Charles Hudson gives an historical overview of the Cherokee people. Author Daniel Pennington has written Itse Selu from the viewpoint of a young boy who witnesses the ceremony. Mr. Pennington uses Cherokee words throughout the story and defines them at the bottom of each page. The colorful illustrations of Don Stewart are realistic and will help younger children visualize the text. It appears that extensive research was done in preparation for this book.
The Mandie Series by Lois Gladys Leppard, Bethany House Publishers, PB
Book 1 Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, 1983, 0-87123-320-7 144 p.
Book 2 Mandie and the Cherokee Legend, 1983, 0-87123-321-5 144 p.
Book 3 Mandie and the Ghost Bandits, 1984, 0-87123-442-4 128p.
Book 4 Mandie and the Forbidden Attic, 1985, 0-87123-822-5 128p.
Book 5 Mandie and the Trunk’s Secret, 1985, 0-87123-839-X 128p.
Fiction Grades 5-8
The Mandie books by Lois Gladys Leppard are enjoyed by pre-teens. Mandie is one-quarter Cherokee. In Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, Mandie’s father dies. She learns she is part Cherokee and that her mother is really her step-mother. She finds the uncle she didn’t know she had and her birthmother. She also meets many friends who help her solve the mysteries throughout the series. In Mandie and the Cherokee Legend, Mandie learns more about her Cherokee people. Mandie and her friends find gold which belongs to the Cherokee. Does it bring bad luck to those who find it as a legend claims? The Cherokee entrust the gold to Mandie who determines to use it to build a hospital for the Cherokee people. In Mandie and the Ghost Bandits, Mandie, with her family and friends, take the gold to the bank. Their train is stopped by bandits who kidnap Mandie and her friends. Mandie and the Forbidden Attic finds Mandie at boarding school. While there she develops a friendship with her grandmother (who separated her parents and told her birthmother she had died). She and her friends solve a mystery which leads to helping a handicapped girl. Mandie and her friends find an old trunk in Mandie and the Trunk’s Secret. The trunk contains a mystery which Mandie and her friends work hard to solve. Unfortunately, the solution hurts someone they care about.
Throughout the more than thirty books in the Mandie series, Mandie and her friends learn valuable lessons. The Christian faith of the characters is evident. The Cherokee culture is shown through the lives of Mandie’s Cherokee people. Lois Leppard used stories of her mother’s childhood as the basis for many incidents in the series.
CHOCTAW
The Devil’s Highway by Stan Applegate. Illustrated by James Watling. Peachtree Publishers, Ltd. 1998, 1-56145-184-3. 148p.
Fiction Grades 5-8
Hannah, a Choctaw Indian, is trying to return to her family after escaping from kidnappers. Zeb is searching for his grandfather — he’s been told he is dead by some men who want their land. Together they travel the dangerous Natchez Trail from Tennessee to the southern Mississippi River. The year is 1811 and thieves and murderers travel the trail. Author Stan Applegate includes historical details and bits of Choctaw culture in The Devil’s Highway. The sketches of James Watling illustrate one scene in each chapter. The book has a sudden, cliff-hanger ending which leaves the reader wishing the book would continue–there is a sequel. The book closes with historical notes and photographs which tell more about the actual Natchez Trace.
COPENA
Wolf Dog of the Woodland Indians by Margaret Zehmer Searcy. Illustrated by Hazel Brough. Pelican Publishing, 1998, 0-88289-778-0. 112 p.
Fiction Grades 5-8
Cub has a wolf-dog as a pet. A visitor convinces the village that Wolf must go. He is part wolf and could be dangerous. Winter is coming; food supplies are short. There wouldn’t be food to feed Wolf (he’d probably end up in the cooking pot). Cub decides to run away with Wolf to save his life. Wolf goes back to the wild and the visitor finds Cub and returns him to his people. The Copena Indians lived in the southeastern United States at the time of Christ. Author Margaret Searcy is a cultural anthropology instructor. She has based her story on her research of the Woodland Indians. The drawings by Hazel Brough portray the primitiveness of Indian life 2000 years ago.
CREEK (POARCH)
Grandmother Five Baskets by Lisa Larrabee. Illustrated by Lori Sawyer. 1993. Harbinger House, Inc. (0-943173-90-6) PB. 60p.
Fiction Grades 2-6
When her daughter asks to learn how to make baskets, Anna recalls the story of when she made her baskets with Grandmother Five Baskets. Most women in the community had lessons with Grandmother Five Baskets when they were twelve or thirteen, although some were older. In the course of learning to make baskets out of pine straw, the basket weaver learns about herself and about life. Not only is this book about learning to weave baskets and learning about yourself, it is about the importance of family and the passing on of family history and native culture. Lisa Larrabee researched this story well and has spent time with the Poarch Creek people. The illustrator Lori Sawyer is from the Creek Nation. Her authentic pencil drawings are beautiful.
SEMINOLE
The Seminoles by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. Illustrated by Ronald Himler. 1994 Holiday House, 0823411125 HB 32p.
Non Fiction Grade 3-7
Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve is a member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe. She opens the book with a retelling of the creation myth of the Seminoles. She tells the history and culture along with the responsibilities of each member of the tribe. Information about their lives today is also included. A map shows the area where the Seminole live. Ronal Himler has illustrated with drawings of tribal artifacts, scenes which illustrate the text, and portraits of famous tribal members. The Seminole would be a good reference source for grades 3-7. The book contains accurate information and an index and is part of the “First Americans” series.
Seminole Children and Elders Talk Together by E. Barrrie Kavasch. Illustrated by J.J. Foxx. 1999, The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., (0-8239-5229-0) HB 24p.
Non Fiction Grades 2-4
Clans, families, land, celebrations and food of the Seminole are among the topics covered in Seminole Children and Elders Talk Together. Author E. Barrie Kavasch uses children and elders of the Seminole tribe to tell the story. Young students researching Native American tribes will easily understand the information presented in this book which is part of The Library of Intergenerational Learning. The full color photographs show students scenes and traditional dress they may never see otherwise.
The Seminole: The First People of Florida by Mary Englar. Capstone Press, 2003, HB 0-7368-1358-6 48p.
Non Fiction Grade 4-7
The Seminole: The First People of Florida is an excellent reference book for upper elementary students. Author Mary Engler has written an informative book. She has divided the book into five chapters: “Who are the Seminole?” “Traditional Life,” “The Seminole Wars,” “Modern Seminole,” and “Sharing the Traditions.” The book includes maps, a recipe, a timeline, glossary, index, and other resources making it a good research choice for older elementary students. The Seminole: The First People of Florida is part of the “American Indian Nations” series.
The Seminole: Patchworkers of the Everglades by Rachel A. Koestler-Grack. Capstone Press, 2003. HB 0-736-81539-2 32p.
Non Fiction Grades 1-4
Seminole history, culture and patchwork is explained for young readers in The Seminole: Patchworkers of the Everglades. Author Rachel Koestler-Grack has written an informative book for the age group. Divided into eight chapters, the book explores the history of the Seminole people, the history of their patchwork, the Green Corn Ceremony, and the Seminole today. The book is illustrated with colorful photos. Several activities are included which will give students some hands-on learning. The book closes with a glossary, index, and list of resources which contribute to its usefulness as a reference book. It is part of the “America’s First Peoples” series.
The Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George. Scholastic, 2000, PB 0-439-18827-X 151p.
Fiction Grade 5-8
The research of author Jean George is evident in the book The Talking Earth. She expertly weaves the modern and the traditional/historical together. Billie Wind has been educated on the reservation. Her practical education has caused her to doubt some of the traditional teachings of her people. The Seminole Council sends her into the Everglades alone to stay until she can believe. Billie Wind learns that the animals can “speak” to her if she will just pay attention. She also discovers the importance of preserving and respecting nature and historical artifacts and learns what can be lost if these are not preserved.
STONE AGE PERIOD INDIANS
The Charm of the Bear Claw Necklace by Margaret Zehmer Searcy. Illustrated by Hazel Brough. Pelican Publishing, 1990. HB 0-88289-821-3. 80 p.
Fiction Grade 5-8
Redwolf and Spottedturtle must assume the role of the men in their small band of Indians. Redwolf’s father and brother were attacked by a bear leaving them near dead. Spottedturtle’s father and the boys’ uncle have gone for the witch woman to help call back the spirits of the wounded. The band has just moved to new territory after the Starving Time. Author Margaret Searcy based the story on archeological evidence from the Stone Age Period. The story is interesting and contains much information on what life may have been like in 5000 B.C. in the southeastern part of what is now the United States. The illustrations by Hazel Brough depict scenes throughout the book.
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
Teaching and Learning About Multicultural Literature: Students Reading Outside Their Culture in a Middle School Classroom by Janice Hartwick Diessel. International Reading Association, 2003. PB 0-87207-457-9174p.
In Teaching and Learning About Multicultural Literature: Students Reading Outside Their Culture in a Middle School Classroom, author Janice Hartwick Dressel shares the findings of her study of one teacher, Ann, and Anns eighth-grade classes of 123 readers who participated in a multicultural literature unit. An outstanding feature of this study was that the majority of the students were whitethat is, the dominant cultureand studied novels representing nondominant cultures. The studys purpose was to find out what dominant-culture students learn when reading novels about people from cultures different from their own. To determine student learning and whether Ann had met her instructional goals, the author examined students written work assigned during the unit. Samples of these writing assignments presented in the book include
a Book Club Organizer in which students kept notes and information about characters, setting, and theme;
a Dialogue Journal in which students wrote to one another about their novels; and
a Pre- and Post-Unit Survey in which students answered questions about their reading and about their novels.
CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS
The Cherokee: An Independent Nation
Try the recipe for Traditional Baked Apples found in the book.
The Cherokee: Native Basket Weavers
Weave a mat cushion — instructions are found in the book
Make Cherokee Cornmeal Cookies — the recipe is included in the book
Play the game Dish and Pole as described in the book.
The Devil’s Highway
Do further research on the Natchez Trace. Write a newspaper with articles describing life and happenings along the trail.
Write a final chapter or sequel to the book telling about Zeb’s continued search for his Grandpa and what he learns.
Itse Selu
A Cherokee story is included within the story of this book. Read the story of Tar Baby and help your students compare the two.
The Seminole: The First People of Florida
Make Seminole Honey Oranges; the recipe is included in the book
The Seminole: Patchworkers of the Everglades
Make a patchwork bookmark, instructions are included in the book.
The book contains a recipe for Wild Grape Dumplings you could make with your class.
Play Single Pole Ball Game as described in the book
The Talking Earth
Discuss the environmental message of the book that the earth is precious.
Discuss whether or not Christians can (or should) learn from traditional native teachings.
Internet Information
-The official site of the Cherokee Nation contains links to historical and cultural information – just click on About the Nation.
-The Choctaw nation web site has links to information about the tribe’s history and culture – scroll down to find the link.
-While not an official tribal site, you can find cultural and historical information about the Creek people here.
-The Seminole Tribe web site has also has links to historical and cultural information.
Resources Available from Amazon (affiliate links)
Teaching and Learning About Multicultural Literature: Students Reading Outside Their Culture in a Middle School Classroom
The Cherokee: An Independent Nation (American Indian Nations)
The Cherokee: Native Basket Weavers (America’s First Peoples)
Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival
The Mandie Collection, Volume 1: Mandie and the Secret Tunnel/Mandie and the Cherokee Legend/Mandie and the Ghost Bandits/Mandie and the Forbidden Attic/Mandie and the Trunk’s Secret (Mandie 1-5)
The Mandie Collection, Vol. 2: Books 6-10
Mandie Collection, The(Volume 3)
The Devil’s Highway by Stanley Applegate (1998-09-01)
Wolf Dog of the Woodland Indians
Grandmother Five Baskets
The Seminoles (A First Americans Book)
Seminole Children and Elders Talk Together (Library of Intergenerational Learning. Native Americans (Rosen Pub. Group’s Powerkids Press).)
The Seminole: The First People of Florida (American Indian Nations)
The Seminole: Patchworkers of the Everglades (America’s First Peoples)
The Talking Earth
Charm of the Bear Claw Necklace, The by Margaret Zehmer Searcy (1990-11-30)
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