Overview
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Where Do I Live? Understanding Indigenous History and Geography
Author: This unit was researched, authored, and edited by the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, California Indian Education for All, and the San Diego County Office of Education. Key writers and researchers of this unit are Nicole Lim, Jayden Lim, and Dr. Staci Block. The unit resources were designed and created from funding through the California Department of Education’s Native American Studies Model Curriculum grant and contract.
Grade(s): 6th-8th Grades
Suggested Amount of Time: Two 60 minute Class Periods
Curriculum Themes
- History
- Relationship to Place
Learning Goals
- Understand the geographic distribution and historical experiences of Indigenous groups in California.
- Explore the impact of colonization, including the Gold Rush, on Native American territories and cultures.
- Analyze the relationship between sovereignty, federal recognition, and Indigenous identity.
- Reflect on the cultural and ecological significance of tribal lands.
Teacher Background
Please take time to read through this document and watch these videos to learn from California Indian cultural bearers as they teach the Essential Understandings of California Indian History and Culture. (https://bit.ly/NASMC_EU)
Essential Understanding 1: Great Diversity Among Tribes (EU1 Video) https://bit.ly/NASMC_EU1
Essential Understanding 2: Diversity Among Identity (EU2 Video) https://bit.ly/NASMC_EU2
Essential Understanding 3: Native Traditional Beliefs (EU3 Video) https://bit.ly/NASMC_EU3
Essential Understanding 4: Policies that Affected Tribes (EU4 Video) https://bit.ly/NASMC_EU4
Essential Understanding 5: Reservations (EU5 Video) https://bit.ly/NASMC_EU5
Essential Understanding 6: History from a California Indian Perspective (EU6 Video) https://bit.ly/NASMC_EU6
Essential Understanding 7: Tribes Have Sovereign Powers (EU7 Video) https://bit.ly/NASMC_EU7