Fort Collins Ancestors: Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Ute Lesson Plan

Overview

Indigenous People Who Built, Settled, and Lived in the Fort Collins Area

Author

Keri Kreuter

Contributor

Jessica Jackson

Topics

Fort Collins Ancestors, Indigenous People

 

  

Theme / Focus

Invisibility to Visibility

Learning Outcomes: 

  • Literacy
  • Social Studies
  • Writing

Materials and Resource Sets

Native Americans in Colorado Resource Set

Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Ute, Pueblo Resource Set

Nuchiu Strong: A Colorado Resource Guide Lessons About the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe PDF (K-1 Resource Guide)

Fort Collins Ancestors Handouts

Fort Collins Ancestors: Indigenous Peoples Readings (CSU History Department)

Studio portrait of unidentified Native American (Ute) women, children, and infants. The women wear dresses, shawls or blankets, one holds a purse. A boy wears a shirt and leggings, a girl, lying face down, wears a dress. The babies are in cradleboards.

Lesson Plan

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

Inquiry/Essential Questions: 

  • What historical significance do Indigenous peoples have in the Fort Collins area?
  • How has their presence shaped our cultural landscape?

Standard Alignment (Evidence Outcomes): 

SS.2.1.1: Ask questions and discuss ideas taken from primary and secondary sources

SS.2.1.2 Describe how people of various cultures influence neighborhoods and communities over time.

Key Vocabulary: 

  • Indigenous 
  • settler
  • pioneer

Place/Location:

Activity:

  • Students will learn about Indigenous tribes in the Fort Collins area and compare/contrast them to the early settlers of Fort Collins.
  • Students will create a triple Venn diagram to compare/contrast Indigenous people, settlers, and people today
  • Culmination Activity: Students will participate in Ancestor Day. Students will complete activities that demonstrate what and how Indigenous people and early settlers completed different tasks

Lesson One: Introduction of Indigenous People and Pioneers

Question: Who are our Fort Collins Ancestors?

Lesson Two: Travel

Question: How did travel differ from today?

Three Column Chart

Three-column Fort Collins Ancestors and Indigenous People

Download the Three Column Chart for Fort Collins Ancestors and Indigenous People (PDF)

Lesson Three: Homes​

Question: How do homes differ from one another?

Lesson Four: Food​

Question: How did our ancestors get food compared to us?

Lesson 5: Clothing

Question: How did our ancestors celebrate compared to us?

Lesson 6: Celebrations

Question: How did our ancestors celebrate compared to us?

Lesson 7: Work

Question: What work did our ancestors do?

Lesson 8: Communication

Question: How did our ancestors communicate with each other?

How the Arapaho Tribe is Trying to Save its Language and Culture

Lesson 9: School

Question: How was schooling similar/different from how we go to school?

Grand Junction Indian School (CO, 1886-1914)
image of Native children at the Teller Institute in Grand Junction, CO

Lesson 10: Review

Question: What can we teach others about our ancestors?

Triple Venn Diagram

  1. Divide students into 9 equal groups
  2. Give each group a topic previously discussed 
  3. Each group will use their note catchers to fill out a Triple Venn Diagram comparing Indigenous people, pioneers, and people today
  4. Once completed, students will present their findings to the class

Assembling Cheyenne Tipi

Indigenous Peoples Readings

Fort Collins Ancestors Handout

Download Indigenous People’s Readings (PDF)

Fort Collins Ancestors Handouts

Indigenous clothing handout. Four figures in traditional dress.

Download Fort Collins Ancestors Handouts (PDF)

The Hidden History of Hand Talk

Arapaho Truths

image from Arapaho Truths video, two figures under a moon

The Northern Arapaho of the Wind River Indian Reservation are storytellers. In an effort to pass their culture to the next generation, the elders tell the children four traditional stories. Using clay animation, shadow puppets, painting, drawing, and performance, the children make the stories come to life.

Triple Venn Diagram

triple venn diagram handout

Download Triple Venn Diagram Handout (PDF)

Lesson 11: Ancestor Day (Culmination Activities)


Indigenous People


Lakota Winter Counts

Pioneers


McGuffy Readers/Slates

Teacher’s Guide

  • Familiarize yourself with content
  • Make copies of reading handouts to highlight
  • Make copies of comparison charts and venn diagram
  • Order beads, pipe cleaners, turkey feathers from Amazon
  • Determine if you will use paper or hornbooks for ink and quill writing
    • Prep materials for kids to make hornbook or copy quill writing paper
  • Gather books to share with class

Extension

Discussion Questions

  • What are some ways that Indigenous people and pioneers were the same? How were they different?
  • What was the hardest thing about living in the past? What do we have today that makes life easier?
  • How did Indigenous people and pioneers work together? How did they have conflicts?
  • What do you think would surprise our ancestors from the past if they saw Fort Collins today?
  • What traditions do we have today that are similar to the celebrations of Indigenous people or pioneers?
  • How can we remember and respect the people who lived here before us?
  • If you could ask an Indigenous person or a pioneer from the past one question, what would it be?

Videos


Who Are the Northern Arapaho?

This video provides an overview of the Northern Arapaho people, focusing on their history, migration to Wyoming, cultural values, and the significance of their tribal names. It addresses essential questions such as “Who are our Fort Collins Ancestors?” by highlighting the Arapaho’s origins and their establishment in the Wind River Reservation. The accompanying lesson plans delve deeper into their history and cultural practices, offering a comprehensive understanding of the Arapaho people’s heritage.

Inquiry Questions:

  • What is the importance of extended families in the Northern Arapaho tribe?
  • How do the Northern Arapaho people teach their children about their culture and history?
  • What are some values that the Arapaho tribe transmits to its younger generations?

Preserving the Ways – Culture and Traditions

This video showcases the efforts of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes in preserving their culture, traditions, and language. The video also touches upon the boarding school experience, providing context for understanding historical challenges faced by these communities.

Inquiry Questions:

  • What are some of the challenges that Native Americans have faced in the last 150 years?
  • Why is it difficult for Native people to retain their culture and ways of life?

Multimedia

We Are Still Here: Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day (KUNC Podcast)

This podcast features Susan Faircloth, an enrolled member of the Coharie Tribe, discussing the significance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the importance of recognizing Indigenous histories and cultures. It aligns with your lesson’s inquiry questions about Indigenous traditions and communication methods.

Inquiry Question: Why is it important to learn about and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Native & Indigenous History (City of Fort Collins Resource)

This resource provides a comprehensive overview of Native American history in Fort Collins, detailing the presence of the Arapaho and Cheyenne peoples, their displacement, and interactions with early settlers. It supports activities exploring the history of Indigenous peoples and their relationship with settlers.

Inquiry Question: Who lived in Fort Collins before settlers arrived, and how did their lives change over time?

A Brief History of Indigenous Peoples in Northern Colorado (The Collegian)

This article offers insights into the Indigenous history of Fort Collins and Northern Colorado, emphasizing the impact of European settlers on Indigenous lands and cultures. It provides context for discussions on the differences between Indigenous peoples and early settlers.

Inquiry Question: How did Indigenous people and settlers live differently from each other?

Top 10 Indigenous Podcasts (Raven)

This compilation introduces various Indigenous-led podcasts that delve into history, culture, and contemporary issues faced by Indigenous communities. Listening to these podcasts can broaden students’ perspectives on Indigenous experiences and narratives.

Inquiry Question: How do Indigenous people today share their stories and history?

Early Settlement 1844-1866 (City of Fort Collins History Connection)

This resource discusses the establishment of Fort Collins, interactions with Indigenous peoples, and the establishment of Camp Collins. It provides historical context for understanding the dynamics between settlers and Indigenous tribes in the area.

Inquiry Question: What happened when settlers arrived in Fort Collins, and how did that affect Indigenous people?

In-Stall History Project (ArcGIS StoryMaps)

This project explores historical sites in Fort Collins, including those significant to Indigenous history. It offers a visual and interactive approach to learning about local history, supporting activities like mapping and site analysis.

Inquiry Question: What important places in Fort Collins help us learn about Indigenous history?

A – Z Fort Collins Firsts (Fort Collins Historical Society)

This resource provides insights into the early developments of Fort Collins, including interactions with Indigenous peoples and the establishment of institutions. It aids in understanding the contributions of settlers and their impact on the region’s history.

Inquiry Question: What were some of the first things settlers built in Fort Collins, and how did they change the area?

Native American Tribes & the Indian History in Fort Collins, Colorado (American Indian Church Resource)

This resource delves into the rich history of Native American tribes in the Fort Collins area, offering insights into their traditions and interactions with settlers.

Inquiry Question: What were the traditions of the Indigenous tribes that lived in Fort Collins?

Early Settlers in Fort Collins (North Forty News)

This article explores the lives and contributions of early settlers in Fort Collins, providing a perspective on the settler experience and their interactions with Indigenous communities.

Inquiry Question: What was life like for the settlers in Fort Collins, and how did they interact with Indigenous people?

Literacy

Home to Medicine Mountainbook cover of Home to Medicine Mountain

  • Two young Maidu brothers are sent to an Indian boarding school far from home. They miss their family and traditions, so they find a way to return to Medicine Mountain, where they belong.
  • Inquiry Question: How do you think the brothers felt being far from home, and why was it important for them to return?

The First Coloradoans: Native Americans in Colorado

book cover of The First Coloradoans

 

  • This book explores the history of the first Native American people who lived in Colorado, their way of life, and how they adapted to the land.

  • Inquiry Question: How do you think the first Coloradans used the land to survive?

When We Were Alone book cover for When We Were Alone

  • This books follows a young girl asking her grandmother about her unique ways. The grandmother shares memories of residential school, where children were stripped of
    their culturebut found ways to resist. The story highlights resilience and cultural pride.
  • Inquiry Question: How do the grandmother’s memories help the young girl understand the importance of identity and culture?

When I Was Eight

book cover of When I Was Eight

 

  • This book tells the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton’s experience at a Canadian residential school. Despite facing cruelty and attempts to erase her Indigenous identity, she remains determined to learn to read. Through resilience and perseverance, she ultimately achieves her goal.

  • Inquiry Question: How does Olemaun’s determination to learn to read help her overcome the challenges she faces at the residential school?

We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Knowbook cover We Are Still Here

  • This book shares important moments in Native American history and shows how Indigenous people continue to fight for their rights and traditions today.

  • Inquiry Question: What does it mean when Native people say, “We are still here”?

Boarding Schoolsbook cover of Boarding Schools

  • Native American children were taken from their families and sent to boarding schools where they were not allowed to speak their language or practice their culture.

  • Inquiry Question: Why do you think it was hard for Native children to be at boarding schools?

Indian Removalbook cover of Indian Removal

  • This book explains how Native American people were forced to leave their lands through unfair laws and actions by the U.S. government.
  • Inquiry Question: How would you feel if you had to leave your home and couldn’t come back?
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
book cover of Fry Bread

 

  • This book explores the history and significance of fry bread, a traditional Native American food, through a rhythmic narrative and vibrant illustrations. It connects to lessons on food traditions and cultural heritage.

  • Inquiry Question: What is fry bread, and why is it important to Native American families?

Book cover of As Long as the Rivers FlowAs Long as the River Flows

  • This book follows Lawrence, a Cree boy, during his last summer before residential school. He cherishes time with his family, learning traditions, but faces the sadness of leaving. The story highlights cultural loss and resilience.
  • Inquiry Question: How does Lawrence’s last summer with his family shape his understanding of his culture and identity?

book cover of We Are Water ProtectorsWe Are Water Protectors

  • A young Indigenous girl speaks out against pollution and stands up to protect water, which is sacred to her people and all living things.
  • Inquiry Question: Why is water so important, and how can we help take care of it?

Field Trip 

  • Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
    • This museum offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that explore the history of the region, including the experiences of early settlers and Indigenous peoples. 
  • Wyoming State Museum
    • The Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne offers exhibits and educational programs about the state’s history, including the 1800s.

Guest Speaker

  • History Colorado
    • History Colorado provides resources and traveling exhibits that could be arranged for educational purposes in Northern Colorado. Their programs often include aspects of Indigenous history and settler narratives.

I Am My Name: A Girl’s Journey to Finding Her Cree Family

book cover of I Am My Name

Coming Home: A Hopi Resistance Story

book cover of Coming Home

 

Chooch Helped

book cover for Chooch Helped