Re: Beyond, and "Indians" (First Nations / Native Peoples)
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 11:28 am
I think what it comes down to for me, is, "What world-view are these resources teaching?" Since I have just skimmed the curriculum after recieving it a few weeks ago, I recieved an initial impression, but since I haven't read every thing in depth yet or taught it, I can't say what my final opinion is on these resources.
As I said, my main concern is for my children's world-view. I want my children to have a world view of Native People that values them, sees the benefits and good parts of their culture, but also sees them as real people who have and still do make mistakes. Just as I would want them to appreciate and value any people group for who they are. No culture is perfect. I know that in the colonial times there was alot of bad decisions made on both sides. But if in teaching history we can value both cultures without elevating one above another, that is my goal. I don't want my children to think that the colonists were the "good guys" and the native people were the "bad guys". (I am not saying that these resources teach that viewpoint, but I know it was a common mindet in historical times) Neither do I want to teach Native Spirituality or their sometimes violent and pagan practices as a good thing. Growing up in an area populated with many native people, I have seen both positives and negatives to their culture, both past and present. Just as there are positives and negatives to any culture.
World view is something that all of us as parents are responsible to teach our children. Valuing all people of different cultures, as people just like us, because we know our father God loves them, is my goal in teaching my children.
As I said, my main concern is for my children's world-view. I want my children to have a world view of Native People that values them, sees the benefits and good parts of their culture, but also sees them as real people who have and still do make mistakes. Just as I would want them to appreciate and value any people group for who they are. No culture is perfect. I know that in the colonial times there was alot of bad decisions made on both sides. But if in teaching history we can value both cultures without elevating one above another, that is my goal. I don't want my children to think that the colonists were the "good guys" and the native people were the "bad guys". (I am not saying that these resources teach that viewpoint, but I know it was a common mindet in historical times) Neither do I want to teach Native Spirituality or their sometimes violent and pagan practices as a good thing. Growing up in an area populated with many native people, I have seen both positives and negatives to their culture, both past and present. Just as there are positives and negatives to any culture.
World view is something that all of us as parents are responsible to teach our children. Valuing all people of different cultures, as people just like us, because we know our father God loves them, is my goal in teaching my children.
It shows both right and wrong things people (various people, there are no good guys/bad guys that are an overall theme) did and how that worked out for them. It teaches them that life isn't always going to be sunshine and roses when you choose to do right, but God will always be there with them. 