Unit Summary

 

This unit offers students a comprehensive and culturally responsive exploration of Native American histories, identities, and contributions, past and present, with a specific focus on California tribal communities. The unit is designed to deepen students' understanding of the diverse experiences of Native peoples through a multidimensional lens that includes art, media, geography, civic engagement, historical legislation, and lived cultural expressions.
The lessons aim to move beyond stereotypical or one-dimensional portrayals of Native Americans by introducing students to the complexity and diversity of Native identities, the impact of settler colonialism, and the ongoing resilience and resistance of Indigenous communities. Students will be encouraged to think critically about how Native peoples have been misrepresented in media, laws, and historical narratives, and will examine how Native communities continue to assert their sovereignty, visibility, and cultural continuity in the present day.
Through interactive learning experiences such as primary source analysis, art interpretation, mapping exercises, and group discussions, students will cultivate historical thinking skills, geographic literacy, media literacy, and cultural awareness. Emphasis is placed on localizing content by exploring California tribes and others whose histories are intimately tied to the lands students live and learn on.
Importantly, this unit also emphasizes civic learning by exploring how Native communities engage in governance, advocacy, and cultural revitalization efforts. Students will understand the role of civic action in advancing Native rights and preserving Indigenous ways of knowing. They will be challenged to reflect on their own role in fostering respectful, accurate, and inclusive narratives in their communities and schools.
By the end of the unit, students will not only have gained a richer understanding of California Native American history, but also developed the critical tools necessary to recognize, honor, and amplify Indigenous voices in the broader story of California and the United States.
 

Unit Objectives

• Students will understand the role of Native Americans in civic life, including advocacy, governance, and contemporary issues.

• Students will explore how Native nations exercise sovereignty and engage with U.S. political systems.

• Students will identify ways they can support Native communities and engage in respectful civic participation.

• Students will analyze how Native artists express identity, history, and community through contemporary art.

• Students will explore the relationship between traditional cultural elements and contemporary artistic expression.

• Students will create or interpret visual art that reflects Indigenous perspectives and lived experiences.

• Students will evaluate representations of Native Americans in historical and contemporary films.

• Students will distinguish between stereotypical portrayals and authentic Indigenous storytelling.

• Students will explore the impact of Indigenous filmmakers and media creators on cultural visibility and self-representation.

• Students will examine how Native identity is shaped by community, culture, language, and history.

• Students will understand that Native identity is diverse, dynamic, and defined by Native peoples themselves.

• Students will reflect on the intersectionality of Native identity with gender, geography, and generational experience.

• Students will use respectful and accurate language when discussing Native peoples and cultures.

• Students will learn why terms like “Native American,” “American Indian,” “Indigenous,” and specific tribal names matter in different contexts.

• Students will develop awareness of how language can reflect power, history, and identity.

• Students will understand the differences between tribes, bands, and reservations, and why these distinctions are important.

• Students will explore how reservations were established and how tribal sovereignty functions today.

• Students will learn the names, locations, and histories of local or nearby tribal nations.

• Students will learn the cultural significance of tribal regalia and how it differs from costumes.

• Students will explore how Native graduates honor their heritage by wearing regalia at graduation ceremonies.

• Students will respect and recognize regalia as an expression of identity, pride, and continuity

Download California Native American Studies 101 Unit