Native Knowledge 360°

Native Knowledge 360° is an educational initiative developed by the National Museum of the American Indian, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, to provide educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and culture, incorporating the experiences and knowledge of Native American communities, such as the Navajo Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Seminole Tribe of Florida. This initiative aims to promote a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of American history, including events like the Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee Massacre, and Indian Removal Act, and the contributions of notable figures like Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Wilma Mankiller. By working with educators from institutions like Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Tribal Colleges and Universities, Native Knowledge 360° seeks to improve the teaching of Native American studies, including the history of Native American boarding schools, Indian reservations, and Tribal sovereignty.

● Introduction to

Native Knowledge 360° Native Knowledge 360° is designed to support educators in teaching about Native American history and culture, using a variety of educational resources, including lesson plans, educational videos, and interactive websites, developed in partnership with organizations like the National Congress of American Indians, Native American Rights Fund, and Indian Land Tenure Foundation. This initiative provides educators with the tools and knowledge they need to teach about the diverse experiences and perspectives of Native American communities, including the Inupiat, Yupik, and Aleut, and to address the historical trauma and ongoing struggles faced by these communities, such as the Boarding School Era, Forced Assimilation, and Environmental Justice. By incorporating the voices and stories of Native American leaders, such as Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, and Wilma Mankiller, Native Knowledge 360° aims to promote a more nuanced and accurate understanding of American history and the contributions of Native American peoples, including their role in events like the American Revolution, War of 1812, and World War II.

● History and Development

The development of Native Knowledge 360° was informed by the work of Native American scholars, such as Vine Deloria Jr., Ward Churchill, and Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, and educators from institutions like University of Arizona, University of Oklahoma, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. The initiative built on the success of earlier educational programs, such as the Native American Rights Fund's Indian Land Tenure Foundation and the National Museum of the American Indian's Native American Heritage Month celebrations, which featured events and exhibitions at Smithsonian Institution museums, including the National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of American History. Native Knowledge 360° was also influenced by the work of Native American organizations, such as the National Congress of American Indians, Native American Rights Fund, and Indian Land Tenure Foundation, which have long advocated for more accurate and inclusive representations of Native American history and culture, including the experiences of Native American women, such as Wilma Mankiller, Suzan Shown Harjo, and LaDonna Harris.

● Educational Initiatives and Programs

Native Knowledge 360° offers a range of educational initiatives and programs, including professional development workshops for educators, summer institutes for teachers, and online courses for students, developed in partnership with institutions like Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. These programs provide educators with the knowledge and skills they need to teach about Native American history and culture, using a variety of educational resources, including lesson plans, educational videos, and interactive websites, and to address the historical trauma and ongoing struggles faced by Native American communities, such as the Boarding School Era, Forced Assimilation, and Environmental Justice. Native Knowledge 360° also partners with organizations like the National Park Service, Library of Congress, and National Archives and Records Administration to provide educators with access to primary sources and historical documents, such as the Treaty of Fort Laramie, Dawes Act, and Indian Reorganization Act, and to promote a more nuanced and accurate understanding of American history and the contributions of Native American peoples.

● Cultural Significance and Impact

Native Knowledge 360° has significant cultural and historical importance, as it seeks to promote a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of Native American history and culture, and to address the historical trauma and ongoing struggles faced by Native American communities, such as the Navajo Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Seminole Tribe of Florida. By incorporating the voices and stories of Native American leaders, such as Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Wilma Mankiller, Native Knowledge 360° aims to promote a more nuanced and accurate understanding of American history and the contributions of Native American peoples, including their role in events like the American Revolution, War of 1812, and World War II. The initiative also recognizes the importance of Native American cultural preservation, including the preservation of Native American languages, such as Navajo language, Cherokee language, and Inupiaq language, and the protection of Native American cultural heritage sites, such as Mesa Verde National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.

● Integration with Academic Curriculum

Native Knowledge 360° is designed to be integrated into academic curricula, including social studies, history, and language arts classes, and to support the teaching of Native American studies, including the history of Native American boarding schools, Indian reservations, and Tribal sovereignty. The initiative provides educators with the tools and knowledge they need to teach about the diverse experiences and perspectives of Native American communities, including the Inupiat, Yupik, and Aleut, and to address the historical trauma and ongoing struggles faced by these communities, such as the Boarding School Era, Forced Assimilation, and Environmental Justice. By incorporating Native Knowledge 360° into academic curricula, educators can promote a more nuanced and accurate understanding of American history and the contributions of Native American peoples, including their role in events like the American Revolution, War of 1812, and World War II, and support the development of cultural competence and critical thinking skills in students, in partnership with institutions like Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Category:Native American education