Multicultural Community Celebration: Native American Heritage Month Materials included: • • •
Glossary handout String Beads
Materials not included: • • •
Device with internet Book by Indigenous author OR device with internet Kitchen supplies and ingredients for fry bread, strawberry drink, OR strawberries (see activity 3)
Welcome: Let’s make the Girl Scout sign and say the Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law together. Would anyone like to lead it? Introduction and icebreaker: Today we are going to celebrate Native American Heritage, honoring the cultures, histories, and countless contributions that Native American communities have provided to the world. Native American Heritage Month is in November, but these activities should be enjoyed year-round. Culture is your way of living (food, language, traditions, beliefs, and more!), passed down from your family and community. What languages did your family and community teach you? Activity 1: Find your home on a map. Supplies: Device with internet Use a map of treaty and tribal lands (https://theways.org/map.html) to find where you live. Ask the Girl Scouts: • • •
Where do you live? What Indigenous nation lived on and cared for the land before you? (Treaty lands) What Indigenous nations are in your community today? (Tribal lands)
Activity 2: Learn about Haudenosaunee beadwork and bead a bracelet. Supplies: Device with internet, string, beads The Haudenosaunee is the group of indigenous nations that include Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. The Haudenosaunee were called Iroquois by the European colonizers, and you may hear either of those words refer to the same people. As the original inhabitants of the northeast US and southeast Canada, Haudenosaunee roots are in New York, Niagara Falls, and the surrounding areas. The United States took Haudenosaunee land and forced the nations to relocate. The Oneida were removed to Wisconsin, where the Oneida Nation and government still are today. Many Indigenous nations have different styles of beadwork; the Haudenosaunee have a style called raised beadwork. Watch a video to see examples and learn more about the tradition and style! https://wisconsinfirstnations.org/wisconsin-lifeiroquois-beadwork/