Walking Between Two Worlds: Tiyapo's Story
Native Pride and Life

Discussion and Writing Questions

Note: Select what is appropriate for your class.

There is great diversity in language, culture, history and government among American Indian tribes. Each tribe has a distinct and unique heritage that contributes to the vitality and diversity of modern life.

1. Tiyapo shared the story of killing his first deer and the cultural tradition of giving all of the meat away. This marked and honored his growing up and his accomplishment as a hunter, as he can now contribute food to his family. Can you name some things that you do now that show you are more grown up? Can you think of an accomplishment of yours that your family recognized by doing something special? (Getting good grades, or for older students, graduating or getting a driver’s license, for instance.) Please share.
2. What is a community? What community or communities do you belong to? Who makes up your communities?
3. Who is part of Tiyapo’s community and how does he provide for and connect with them? How does providing for his family and community make Tiyapo feel?
   
   There is a rising food sovereignty movement among Native Americans that advocates obtaining much of what you eat from the land. Grocery stores are readily available to Tiyapo’s family, but they choose to only buy staples such as flour and coffee; for most of their food, they hunt, fish, and harvest roots, berries and plants.
   
   Tiyapo and his family are living in harmony with the land in a sustainable way, taking from it only what is necessary to sustain themselves and being thankful for what the land provides. This practice of connectedness to the land and its resources is referred to as sustainability.
    
4. Why do you think providing food from the land is important to many American Indians?
5. Does anyone in your family hunt, fish, or grow fruits and vegetables? Give details.
6. How are the practices of food sovereignty and sustainability beneficial?

For Older Students

There are many well and little known contemporary Native American mentors who serve as role models in their homes and communities and in fields such as science, education, art, politics, health and civil rights. Research American Indian role models and select one to share with your class. Females should choose a male to write about and males should choose a female. Discuss who your role model is, how they contribute to society, and why they should be respected.