Wisdom of the Elders

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

Standards

CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT

SS.05.CG.01.01—Know the concept of rule of law.

SS.05.CG.02.02—Know how laws are made.

SS.05.CG.04.01—Identify basic rights that are given to citizens of the U.S.

SS.05.CG.05.01—Identify and give examples of resources that provide information about public issues.

SS.05.CG.06.01—Identify and give examples of actions citizens can take to influence government policy and decision-making.

SS.05.CG.07.01—Know how the U.S. makes treaties with other nations, including Indian nations.

SS.05.CG.07.02—Know how nations demonstrate good will toward other nations in a variety of ways.

SS.05.CG.08.01—Recognize that governments are organized in different ways.

CD Segments to Play

For this topic, go to Historical Introduction and Sacred Landscape (Judy BlueHorse-Skelton)

Background

Suggested Strategies

Activities

1.  Discuss

The events that shape the Warm Springs Reservation are best summarized by a few key documents described at the tribe’s website:

The  HYPERLINK “http://www.warmsprings.com/Warmsprings/Tribal_Community/History__Culture/Treaty__Documents/Northwest_Ordinance.html” \t “_self” Northwest Ordinance of July 13, 1787 first states Indian Policy in a formal manner.

The  HYPERLINK “http://www.warmsprings.com/Warmsprings/Tribal_Community/History__Culture/Treaty__Documents/Treaty_of_1855.html” \t “_self” Treaty of 1855 defined the area of the Reservation, and allowed the Tribes to keep their rights to harvest fish, game, and other foods on accustomed lands outside the reservation boundaries.

The  HYPERLINK “http://www.warmsprings.com/Warmsprings/Tribal_Community/History__Culture/Treaty__Documents/Wheeler-Howard_Act_.html” Wheeler-Howard Act (Indian Reorganization) of 1934 established the principle that Indians are best governed by themselves.

The  HYPERLINK “http://www.warmsprings.com/Warmsprings/Tribal_Community/History__Culture/Treaty__Documents/Tribal_Constitution_and_By-Laws.html” Tribal Constitution and By-Laws established the Tribal Government in 1938.  HYPERLINK “http://www.warmsprings.com/.docs/pg/400/rid/43″ PDF format.

The  HYPERLINK “http://www.warmsprings.com/Warmsprings/Tribal_Community/History__Culture/Treaty__Documents/Corporate_Charter.html” \t “_self” Corporate Charter incorporated the Tribes in 1938.

The  HYPERLINK “http://www.warmsprings.com/Warmsprings/Tribal_Community/History__Culture/Treaty__Documents/McQuinn_Strip_Boundary_Dispute.html” McQuinn Strip Boundary Dispute: 1871-1972

The  HYPERLINK “http://www.warmsprings.com/Warmsprings/Tribal_Community/History__Culture/Treaty__Documents/Declaration_of_Sovereignty.html” Declaration of Sovereignty of June 25, 1992 declared the sovereign authority of the Tribes to determine our destiny and control all persons, land, water, resources, and activities free from outside interference.

It is important to understand that the Treaty of 1855 did not “give” the Warm Springs Tribal people rights to fish, hunt, and gather foods and medicines. They are rights tribal members have had and exercised since they were created. In the Treaty, Warm Springs ancestors reserved those rights to ensure that the tribe’s future generations would be able to maintain and exercise their traditions and customs. Huckleberries, salmon, eels and other gifts brought by the seasonal round are protected by this important document.

2.  Share

Invite students to list the things that are important to their lives that are (or should be) protected by laws (clean water, air, safe food, security in their neighborhood, safety of pets, freedom to gather with their extended family). Decide if there are things they believe that need to be protected today.  How might this be accomplished?  Should the class choose one of these and try to start the political process in their own school and community?