Voices of the Native Northwest Coast
Videos
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APCivics, History
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by American Museum of Natural History
What it is
- This video includes first-person history and stories from Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest.
- Students will learn about the history, culture, and practices of these Indigenous Americans, as well as the systemic racism, hurtful laws, bad-faith practices, and harm they have experienced.
- The Native Americans interviewed also discuss their connection to the land, their appreciation for nature, and their unwasteful ways of living.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This video is incredibly educational and features the first-person perspective of Pacific Northwest Indigenous people.
- Students will get to see tribal customs, hear how laws impacted people, and learn about how this culture carries on today.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have prior knowledge of the history of colonization in North America.
Differentiation
- Cross-curricular connections can be made in science classes discussing sustainability practices, especially sustainable fishing, or in health classes discussing how different cultures live healthy lives.
- Before watching this video, have students share what they know about Native Pacific Northwest tribal culture, the interactions between governments and tribes, or any other ideas about the topic. After viewing, use these ideas and what was learned in the video to have a class conversation.
From the scientist review
This 12-minute video spotlights how the forests, marine resources, cultural heritage, and lands of the native people of the Pacific Northwest coast were decimated, and how their cultural norms and values were criminalized by Western governments. Over time, they have fought this systemic racism and brought back their cultural heritage. They have also been able to instill their cultural values and norms to the younger generations, as these values were important drivers for natural resources management and conservation. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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Hosted on amnh.org
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