The Native American Myth

Bell Ringer

In your notebook:

List a minimum of three things you know about Native Americans.

Who were the Native Americans?

Indigenous (native) peoples of the Americas

Organized into tribes with varied traditions

Generally matriarchal (women are highly respected)

Practice religions that focus on nature (rather than deities or gods)

Native American Regions

United States’ Regions:Eastern WoodlandsGreat PlainsSouthwest DesertPacific Northern Coast

Eastern Woodlands

Lived east of the Mississippi River in the forest regions

Permanently settled in villages near water- all of their resources came from the forests

Lived in longhouses

Known for their farming and domesticating of animals

Most well-known is the Iroquois NationPowhatan and Pocahontas are from this region

Eastern Woodlands

Great Plains

Lived in the region from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains

Primarily nomadic (moved from place to place)- followed the buffalo

Lived in teepees

Known for their horsemanship

Most well-known is the Sioux NationSacagawea and Chief Sitting Bull are from this

region

Great Plains

Southwest Desert

Lived in modern Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and Northern Mexico

Permanently settled as ‘cliff dwellers’

Lived in shelters built on cliffs with semicircular masonry

Known for their farming techniques of the ‘three sisters’ (corn, beans, and squash) and development of cisterns

Most well-known are Apache, Navajo, and Pueblo

Southwest Desert

Pacific Northern Coast

Lived in the region along the Pacific Coast from modern southern Alaska to Washington state

Migrated seasonally between semi-permanent camps

Lived in wooden Big-Houses decorated with paintings and carvings

Known for totem poles, canoe building, and dog-sledding

Most well-known are Inuit

Pacific Northern Coast

Bell Ringer

In your notebook, answer the following question:

Does where you come from impact your beliefs and worldviews? How?

Bell Ringer

In your notebook, answer the following question:

How are Native American creation myths similar? How do they differ?

Comparing Myth

With your partner, compare and contrast each of the Native American myths we have seen in class (‘Sioux Creation Story,’ ‘The Earth on Turtle’s Back,’ and ‘Legend of the Cherokee Nation’

How did region impact differences in myth?

How do they show similar themes and beliefs?

Where do they differ?

Comparing Myth Example

Sioux Creation Story

Earth on Turtle’s Back

Legend of the Cherokee Nation

Bell Ringer

In your notebook, answer the following question:

What are the basic components of a creation myth?

Developing a Creation Myth

Using your own beliefs, heritage and region you were born, develop a creation myth

Your creation myth must:.Be a minimum of two-paragraphs (6

sentences each)Include an explanation for the creation of

the world (Where did it come from? Who was there? How did humans come into being?)

***YOUR MYTH CANNOT BE A RE-WRITE OF AN EXISTING CREATION MYTH***