For All Time: Resources about America’s Native Peoples from the Smithsonian Institute Museum of the American Indian

Abstract

The history and culture of America’s native peoples is alive and thriving! But, you would not think so if you walked in most American classrooms or libraries. Here, much of the instruction and resources used are from secondary non-native sources and more often than not, relegates native peoples squarely to the past with little relevance to our present or our future. So, instead, come and see how our native cousins are thriving and working to revitalize the land to help create a sustainable future for all while maintaining their deep cultural beliefs. Learn how to locate and access some of the expert print and digital resources curated by SMAI staff, cultural and educational experts from across the country especially for teachers and librarians. Look at rubrics and other resources librarians can use when evaluating native materials and resources when doing collection development. Take a peek inside online inquiry units that address universal questions like “why does the food we eat matter or how do native Americans experience belonging?”. See how we can take these examples to create our own units focusing on the culture and people of Hawaii.