Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/the-american-indian-child/5009039/
Most teachers who are not Indians do not understand why it is so difficult to accurately teach about American Indians to young children or sometimes to teach Indian children. One reason is that there are over 400 federally recognized Indian tribes and about 350 Indian languages. To add to the confusion, there is a bewildering array of tribes, clans, bands, rancherias, and villages to which any Indian may belong.No Indian person will speak for all Indians in general, but will refer to his tribal customs and general tribal teachings. Therefore, non-Indians cannot expect to learn about the varied and often mysterious tribal teachings and expect to present teachings about the American Indians to a class of young people other than in the usual stereotypical fashion.
Another fact that is largely untaught and misunderstood is that federally recognized tribes are sovereign nations with treaty rights with the United States government. This is different from any other minority group. Each tribe has its own government and government officials. It is too complicated to teach to children but teachers need to understand this fact.
American Indians do not believe in the "melting pot" theory. They struggle to maintain ...