The sovereignty of U.S. Native American nations is the focus of a resource that asks class members to compare the Right to Self-Determination in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with a fact sheet that details the rights of indigenous peoples in the U.S. After examining current policies that limit this sovereignty, individuals propose changes that would better recognize indigenous sovereignty.

Concepts

native americans, north american native americans, native american history, native american culture, sovereignty, indigenous people, the universal declaration of human rights

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Download the attached factsheet and prepare individual copies for class members
• Preview Chris Eyre's film Smoke Signals to determine if appropriate for class viewing
• Have groups investigate recent controversies about indigenous nations sovereignty including the Dakota pipeline, and building projects of the Chumash in California
• Assign class members to read and compare reading passages out of class before returning for a discussion of the contrasts in the two documents

Classroom Considerations

• Requires copies of multiple handouts
• Establish a protocol for a safe, respectful discussion of controversial issues

 

Pros

• The 10-page packet includes a detailed plan, activities, and handouts of the passages
• The packet also includes suggestions for how individuals can get involved

 

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.11-12.1 W.9-10.1.a W.11-12.1.a