Indian Land Tenure Curriculum > 3-5 Curriculum > Standard 4 > Curriculum Summary

Standard Four Curriculum Summary

Grades: Third - Fifth

Standard Four Goal: The student will develop an understanding of the manner in which a return to American Indian traditional values can help correct the effects of decades of erosion of their homelands.

Rationale: The final standard looks to what Indian communities should consider as they work toward a successful future in managing their lands. Indians have had their lands severely diminished and, in many cases, they have been moved great distances from their original homelands. This diminishment and displacement has had significant impacts on tribal culture, clan and social structure, traditional education, languages and overall tribal health. Tribal nations are finding the means of asserting their sovereign status and taking steps to correct some of the harm to their tribal societies and land bases. This assertion can include acquisition of lost lands, halting the erosion of land bases, restoration of traditional land values and development of sustainable land-based tribal economies.

Lesson 1: Gain knowledge of who the tribal leaders are and how they lead people.
Achievement Goal: Create a diagram/chart of tribal government and tribal leaders. Identify those responsible for the ways in which tribal lands are managed. 1 class period

Tribal leaders have a very diverse set of roles and responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is to direct stewardship of the land. The way tribal lands are managed today will determine the future of land availability and use. In this lesson, the students should begin to understand who their tribal leaders are and how they make decisions about the land.

Lesson 2: Develop knowledge of how one can play a part in influencing tribal leaders to improve lands and livelihoods in the community.
Achievement Goal: Research the ways in which leaders are elected and appointed within the tribe, and how the members of the community can see that leaders are being good stewards of the lands. 1 class period

Tribal leaders are elected to effectively address tribal members’ needs. If land management and care is a concern of leaders, land stewardship will be an important tribal activity. Tribal members should communicate their thoughts and ideas about land stewardship to tribal leaders. In this lesson, students will learn about the election process, will select a tribal leader and write to them.

Lesson 3: Identify ways in which the tribal government and other leaders are taking action to improve the lands and natural gifts.
Achievement Goal: Research the responsibilities and work of the tribal Natural Resources Department. 1 class period

Wise management of tribal lands and natural resources is very important for the future of American Indian communities. Tribes depend on these resources to sustain their economies and cultures, and to provide a land base for their people long into the future. This and other lessons often refer to natural resources as “gifts of nature” or “natural gifts.” Tribal leaders and their teams work hard to sustain natural resources. Students can learn from natural resource managers about the natural resources of their tribe and the projects that are in place to protect and sustain them.

Lesson 4: Gain knowledge of how the lives and livelihoods of tribal people can be improved through better use of lands and natural gifts.
Achievement Goal: Learn about the challenges tribal leaders face in making decisions about land use on the reservation. 1 class period

This lesson will introduce the students to the concepts of land use and land planning. After participating in a role play activity in which they are tribal leaders making decision about land, students will be able to describe different types of land use, identify which land uses fit the community and which do not, discuss the right balance between various land uses, and learn how to communicate and discuss problems while still showing respect for other people.