Tribal History Curriculum 

Curriculum Specialist - Cheyanne Heidt |Phone: 503-879-2144 |Email: Cheyanne.Heidt@grandronde.org | Social Media Links

Mission Statement:

Welcome to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Tribal History curriculum unit. We appreciate that you are taking the time to learn and teach this curriculum to your class. This curriculum was created from the need for historically accurate and culturally relevant curriculum in Oregon schools about Oregon Native Americans and as a response to countless requests from Oregon teachers for classroom-ready materials on Native Americans. Our hope is that these lessons can be taught in a variety of settings and subjects – creating a more culturally responsive atmosphere for all students throughout all areas of their education experience. We hope you find these units useful and appreciate the positive difference you are making by teaching this as it will have an incredible impact on generations to come.

CTGR Tribal History Curriculum Feedback Form

 


 

Implementation

It is the intent that these lessons will be integrated into pre-existing school curriculums throughout the school year. They should be introduced to students as any other lesson would and can be applied in a variety of subject levels. While target “Native American Lessons and/or Learning Weeks” can convey much of the information and concepts, we encourage educators to approach these units/lessons as a classroom culture shift and use them to “sprinkle” culture throughout their curriculum. This conveys a message of inclusiveness and acceptance to students as they understand the concept of Native Americans’ role in the present-day. While the lessons can be taught as small units, many also serve as stand-alone lessons and can be taught in conjunction with other non-Native curriculums.

 

The Tribal History Curriculum covers a wide variety of topics throughout multiple subjects.

  • English Language Arts
  • Science
  • Math
  • Social Studies
  • Government
  • World Trade
  • US History
  • Health
  • Art

 


 

Professional Development

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde offers professional development and self-learning opportunities for educators. Teachers participating in these learning opportunities about the tribal history curriculum and the history of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde can have a profound impact on their teaching practices and the educational experiences of their students. By engaging in these opportunities, teachers gain a deeper understanding of the rich and complex history of the Tribe, as well as the cultural significance and relevance of this knowledge to their students. This professional development can help teachers feel more comfortable implementing accurate and inclusive curricula, pedagogies, and assessments that reflect the experiences and perspectives of Native American students. This ultimately leading to increased student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement. Furthermore, by participating in these learning opportunities, teachers can also develop a greater sense of empathy, respect, and understanding for their students' cultural heritage, fostering a more positive and supportive learning environment that values diversity and promotes cultural competence.

Explore the professional development opportunities offered

 


 

Goals

  • Teach students about the history and culture of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
  • Provide an understanding of the origins of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and its modern-day status.
  • Highlight the important contributions of Native American tribes to the United States.
  • Examine the impact of colonization and the struggle for tribal sovereignty.
  • Explore the diverse traditional practices of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, including language, art, music, and spiritual beliefs.
  • Engage students in activities and projects that foster pride in tribal heritage.
  • Discuss the role of Native Americans and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in contemporary society.
  • Create an understanding of the unique challenges faced by Native American tribes in the present day.

 

Guiding Questions

  • How does physical geography affect the history, culture, and economic life of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde?
  • What is sovereignty and how is its power utilized by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde?
  • What were the political, economic, and cultural ramifications of repeated removal and relocation events?
  • In what ways is identity crafted and reinforced by cultural lifeways?
  • What does CTGR do to meet the challenges of reservation life; and as sovereign nations, what do local Tribes do to meet the economic and cultural needs of their Tribal communities?

Tribal Curriculum Video Playlist

(Click top right of the video to see all videos in playlist)

Tribal History Curriculum