Overview
Indigenous Necklaces: Make your own Pendant
Author: Phil Albers Jr (Karuk)
Lesson partner: Rebecca Lowry, Humboldt County Office of Education
Grade(s): 4th-5th
Suggested Amount of Time: 1-2 class sessions
Curriculum Themes
- History
- Cultural Strengths
- Relationship to Place
- Cross Curricular Integration
Learning Goals
Students will learn about:
traditional necklaces
traditional cultural items used in necklaces and jewelry
traditional forms of currency
resource management
Lesson Overview
This lesson teaches about traditional Native necklaces and items for making necklaces. Students will learn about the materials, necklace making process and some cultural aspects of items used for necklaces and jewelry. Students will engage in classroom discussions and make their own pendant and/or necklace.
Teacher Background
This lesson is based on Traditional Ecological Knowledge passed down through generations of Indigenous people of Karuk, Yurok, Hoopa, Wiyot and Chilula ancestry. These teachings are upheld and continued today throughout the descendants of those peoples. Many Indigenous people use necklaces in their culture and heritage. These teachings and items are applicable in a traditional context and a modern context. The opinions in this lesson do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any listed Tribes or community members.