I asked some questions a couple weeks ago regarding books that represent
various tribes for a research paper. I didn't get much response and I don't
know if this is because I look like yet another researcher asking questions
and everyone is sick of answering them. If that is so, I understand. I'd
like to pose another perspective of where I'm really coming from; forget
the paper.
I'm working toward a degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages) and when teaching in the U.S., I think it's real important to
teach students about the variation of cultures that we have here --
especially indigenous peoples of the U.S. A year ago I took a class in
Urban Native American Issues and ever since have been doing volunteer
work for local tribes here in California -- before this class I didn't
realize these people existed. Having lived here my whole life, I find
that tragic.
Since I find this important, and I like to find subjects that are useful
to me personally when I have to do a paper for a class, I wanted to get
an idea of what Indian people really think is important for people to know
about them. Sorry about the questionaire format that the instructor wanted
-- forget it -- now I want to ask as one human being to another...
What is important info to teach people in this country about indigenous
folks? What resources and methods in books or other media are important?
ANY medium. Which ones are full of ****? What do you have to say that the
media aren't saying. I am interested in hearing from indigenous people
from all the Americas.
I just wanted to give this another try because I really want to know --
not just for a paper. I don't think that paper is going to come out how
it set out to be anyhow. Quantifying people is strange.
Thanks, Suz
-- Susan Marfield Boulder Creek, CA susanm@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us