Tiyapo shares a spiritual ceremony he and his family participate in that helps heal and strengthen their community. We also hear Tiyapo’s thoughts on racism that he encounters off the reservation.
* Click the square icon in the bottom right corner of the video player to watch the video full screen. Hit "Esc" to return to main video page.
For a full inquiry-based lesson click here
Discussion and Writing QuestionsNote: 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. Healing and Religion- How do you think spiritual or religious traditions can help people?
- Why is it important for Tiyapo to attend the Medicine Dance? How do he and his community benefit from the Medicine Dance? What special food does Tiyapo contribute to this ceremony?
- Discuss family and community gatherings that are important to you, your friends, or family. What traditional foods are prepared for your annual celebrations or holidays? Discuss any singing, praying, dancing or other rituals performed at gatherings such as holidays, religious observations, weddings, funerals, etc.
- Sometimes classmates or other people will look different from you or will have family traditions different from your own. Many feel we are more alike than we are different and that these differences make our communities more interesting. What do you think about this?
- Native cultures have struggled to preserve their rituals and songs, most of which are not written but passed down from generation to generation through singing, which is a type of oral tradition. For more information see these resource sections:
Walking in Two Worlds
Reclaiming Ceremonies
Reclaiming Culture
- Why are his tribe’s songs important to Tiyapo? How could his tribe’s traditional songs disappear?
Racism- Have you ever been discriminated against? If you have and are comfortable discussing it, please do. What do you think caused the discrimination? How did it make you feel?
- Have you ever discriminated against someone? If so, what led to your behavior? How did this make you feel? Do you feel differently about your behavior now?
- What did you think about American Indians before you saw Tiyapo’s Story? What may have influenced your initial understanding?
- How have Native Americans been portrayed on television and in movies and books? Widespread media portrayal helped create generalized beliefs —or stereotypes — about American Indians that continue today. What are some of these stereotypes? Do you think these stereotypes are unfair? Discuss.
- Learning about a person or community will help you understand them better. Discuss how learning about Tiyapo may have changed your understanding and view of Native Americans.
- When Tiyapo says he is “just like any of them,” what does he mean and who is the “them” he is referring to? How does this make you feel?
- In what ways are you and Tiyapo alike?
- Would you like to be friends with Tiyapo? Discuss.
- Do you know any Native American children or teens? Where do you think you might go to meet them in your area? Could you invite them to visit your classroom and share their experiences? How do you think talking with Native American youth could change your ideas about Native people?
|
