The Ableza Institute in San Jose, which is dedicated to promoting, preserving and protecting traditional and contemporary arts by Native Americans as well as taking back Indian images from Hollywood stereotypes, makes the following recommendations for teachers:
- Understand that the term "Native American" includes all people indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. Don't assume there are no Native American students in your class. Many do not use Indian surnames. Help your students understand that Native Americans have a wide variety of physical features, attributes and values, as do people of all cultures and races.
- Present Native American peoples as having unique, separate and distinct cultures, languages, beliefs, traditions and customs.
- Teach Native American history as a regular part of American history and avoid using loaded terms like "massacre" and "conquest," which may distort the facts or present a onesided view.
- Avoid depicting as Native American heroes only those who helped Europeans or Euro-Americans.
- Avoid referring to or using materials which depict Native Americans as savages, primitives, the Nobel Savage, the Red Man, simple or extinct.
- Use materials that show respect for and understanding of the sophistication and complexities of Native American societies. Communicate the fact that the spiritual beliefs of Native American peoples are integral to the structure of their societies and are not "superstitions" or "heathen" practices.
- Use materials that show the value Native Americans place on their elders, children and women. Terms such as "papoose" and "squaw" may be seen as derogatory.
- Avoid rhymes or songs that use Native Americans as counting devices (for example, "One little, two little, three little Indians"). When teaching the ABCs, avoid "I is for Indian" and "E is for Eskimo."
- Avoid craft activities that trivialize Native American dress, dance and beliefs for example, kachinas (Indian dolls) made from toilet paper rolls, or costumes and headdresses made from paper bags and construction paper. Instead, research authentic methods and materials. Be sensitive to the fact that many native songs, dances, legends and ceremonies are considered sacred.
For more information, visit the institute's website www.ableza.org/dodont.html.
