Introduction
We have written in the recent past about the unique plight of First Nations that reside within the United States of America. They are sovereign nations within a nation. I have always been told through my own family oral history that I have Native American ancestry (Cherokee in particular). Perhaps that is why I have always been intrigued and interested in researching and studying the history and culture of the hundreds of Indian Nations that have their roots in the Americas. There are 570 federally recognized tribes in the US alone. Truth be told, I have always identified with my African roots, as that has been the most obvious part of my cultural and ethnic heritage. And quite frankly, it has always been emphasized in my family and community. Much like the black experience in the United States First Nations have had a sad and troubled history. In fact, there is a long history of black and Indian relations. A group known as Black Indians have a history that is inseparable from Native Americans. Racial prejudice, broken treaties, broken promises, murder, rape, poverty and widespread disease has been an unfortunate part of the Native experience in the Americas. The times we live in are no different. In fact, under the current political structure the problems in Native American communities seem to have been exasperated, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 and First Nations
Navajo nations have been hit especially hard by the pandemic. A recent Newsweek article from May 11, 2020 stated that “the novel coronavirus has killed 100 of the more than 3,100 confirmed patients in the Navajo Nation, a Native American territory spanning 27,000 square miles across parts of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.” This is a very high number in relation to the Navajo population. In fact, The Guardian reported that the Navajo territory has “the highest per capita infection rate in the U.S. after New York and New Jersey, two of the worst-hit states in the country.” What makes this even more tragic is that the Navajo nation does not have the same resources as New York or New Jersey to combat the virus. Native Americans continued to get the short end of the stick and were recently overlooked in terms of funding distribution. But thanks to a lawsuit filed against the federal government the Navajo was granted $600 million in federal funding to combat the virus.
Educational Resources for Learning about First Nations
One way to combat discrimination and prejudice against first nations is through the realm of education. In this way, teachers can be intentional about providing lessons that educate students on Native American culture and heritage. Here are some lessons on Native culture and history to get teachers started.
Lesson Plans
Native American Tribe Teacher Resources
Native American Heritage Lesson Plans and Student Activities
Native American Lesson Plans
Native American Lessons for Middle School Social Studies
Native American Lessons for High School Social Studies
Native American Cultures Across the U.S.
Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month, Grades K-5
Native Americans Resources for Teachers
Native American Lesson Plans and Learning Activities | Studying Native American Culture At Home Or Classroom
Native American Tribal Cultures
Native American Heritage Month Teacher Resources
Celebrate Native Americans in the classroom
For this response I chose “combating discrimination against First Nations with Education”. I feel like this is a topic that is not breached enough in our cultures today. First Nations people are a group that has been highly discriminated against all throughout history and very little is ever done about it. I really liked how it gave us as teachers a role in helping combat this prejudice. I believe that education, healthcare, and other resources would help a long way in putting the First Nations people in better circumstances and combating the high rates of illness and poverty among them.
To start I enjoy how at the end of the article, there are multiple lesson plans available for anyone to teach a lesson on Native culture and history. I think people are so hurtful and mean because the way the Natives live, do not reflect the way they live, and that is truly sad. Natives should have the right to funding because we came to their land and started taxing people on this land. They never had any control over the land that they called home, and would possibly never have wanted to live the way we live. That would be the same as someone coming to your home and taking over everything, making you live the way they want. COVID-19 is effecting the Natives tremendously because our government never took proper care of them, as they should have.
I found this article very intriguing because during this COVID-19 pandemic, I have never given The First Nations much thought. I agree that Native Americans living in the United States do get the short end of the stick and that their culture should be taught and appreciated in our education system. As a future social studies teacher, I know that will fall on me and am proud to do the job. Native American culture is very fascinating and many lessons can be used to teach students.
You would think by now that the people would respect the tribes more, seeing as they were the ones who ruled the land before. Their culture is often misrepresented and I think that educating ourselves can help with discrimination (like you mentioned). Highest infection rate per capita would imply that that never had the supplies they needed. Pretty unfortunate.
The idea that they were struggling with the Coronavirus and were hit with it hard is sad. But it is even more sad that they weren’t given proper funding until someone filled a lawsuit against the government. I am glad that they got the funding but the idea they are constantly faced with these types of struggles and are just overlooked is troubling. This just shows how the people with money and power are the ones that matter and can prevail. This shouldn’t be the case in our society we should be more willing to help others and not just think about ourselves.
Although I have known about the atrocities that the Native American community suffered during the history of the United States, I did not know of the extent of discrimination against them today. The lack of funding for the Covid-19 pandemic, when the population has such a high mortality rate associated with it, is not justifiable. I am glad that they were granted the funded need, but they should have not had to go to court to get it when funding was so easily passed out to the states during this time. I agree with Dr. Childs, in that they way to change this discrimination and prejudice is the education of the oppression that they face.
Due to a lack of hospital beds infected individuals were sent back home. Many of the homes are overcrowded with multiple generations living together. Some homes are heated using fossil fuels which irritate the lungs on top of COVID-19 complications. Another setback for the Navajo is the higher percentage of children with childhood obesity, making them more susceptible to COVID-19 complications. It is hard to think of America as the greatest country on earth when things like this are happening. It is heartbreaking to see such negative things happening in not just our country but countries around the world. I think their needs to more awareness to those out there who are not as educated as some are.
The linked article from the Guardian is heartbreaking. Due to a lack of hospital beds infected individuals were sent back home. Many of the homes are overcrowded with multiple generations living together. Some homes are heated using fossil fuels which irritate the lungs on top of COVID-19 complications. Another setback for the Navajo is the higher percentage of children with childhood obesity, making them more susceptible to COVID-19 complications. It is hard to think of America as the greatest country on earth when things like this are happening. It is heartbreaking to see such negative things happening in not just our country but countries around the world. I think their needs to more awareness to those out there who are not as educated as some are.
The Covid 19 pandemic has not only affected people in America, but people in other countries as well. This situation is unfortunate, because this could have been prevented if strict precautions were taken earlier on. When i did research I found that African Americans were mostly dying form this virus, and why i could not quite understand. Which shows how much of a difference there is with race within this society and how different races are affected by this virus.
I too have Native American ancestry in my lineage, so I am always very interested in hearing of issues they are facing. I have read that the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting some demographics more than others, but I had not heard of the Navajo Nation’s troubles with the disease. I was alarmed and sad to read that the Navajo had the highest rate of infection per capita after New York and New Jersey. Bravo to the federal funding being given to them to help combat the pandemic and help them through this crisis.