National Day of Mourning Lesson Plan | History Matters

Overview

This resource is a mosaic of videos to honor the National Day of Mourning (traditionally observed on Thanksgiving).

Author

Alicia Ernest

Topics

National Day of Mourning; Indigenous Studies; Decolonization; Land Back Projects; Culture Keeping; Food Sovereignty; Language Revitalization Projects; US land annexation; Indian Boarding Schools

Theme / Focus

Indigenous contributions and challenges

Learning Outcomes:

Social Studies

Materials and Resource Sets

Native Americans in Colorado Resource Set

Impact of Native Americans Resource Set

National Day of Mourning Slideshow

Download National Day of Mourning slideshow (PDF)

Lesson Plan

While the lesson plan grade level is designed for Fourth/Fifth Grade, it is scaleable to adjust to different audiences.

Inquiry/Essential Questions:

What are important contributions and challenges surrounding contemporary indigenous culture in the United States?

Standard Alignment (Evidence Outcomes):

CDE 4.1.1 Analyze primary and secondary sources from multiple points of view to develop an understanding of the history of Colorado.
CDE 4.1.2 Analyze historical time periods and patterns of continuity and change, through multiple perspectives, within and among cultures and societies.
CDE 5.1.1 Analyze primary and secondary sources from multiple points of view to develop an understanding of early United States history.
CDE 5.1.2 2. Examine the historical eras, individuals, groups, ideas, and themes in North America from early Indigenous Peoples through the European Age of Exploration/post-Columbian colonization and the establishment of the United States Government.

Key Vocabulary:

Indian Boarding Schools
Language Revitalization
Cultural Appropriation
Food Sovereignty
Land Back
Decolonization
Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women

Places/Locations/Field Trips:

Activity:

This resource is a mosaic of videos to honor the National Day of Mourning (traditionally observed on Thanksgiving). The videos touch on current issues that include decolonization efforts, land back projects, culture keeping work, food sovereignty initiatives, and language revitalization projects. The videos also discuss other relevant issues including U.S. land annexation and Indian Boarding Schools.

National Day of Mourning

Directions:

Display the National Day of Mourning slideshow.
Allow a student moderator to select students who want to pick an image.
Once clicked, the image will link to a video.
The videos do not need narration or contextualizing information.
All videos do not need to be shown in one sitting, or at all.
They can be played individually as filler activities or together as a unit.
Together, they allow students to gain more experiences in topics that affect contemporary Indigenous issues.