"It's a good day to be indigenous." From Sherman Alexie's book and movie Smoke Signals
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(6 pp) The movie (1999) was billed as the first American all-Indian made - written, acted and produced movie. And everyone appeared astounded that it was (is) very good. It has been adapted from Alexie's book of short stories called The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fight in Heaven. Our assignment is to look both at the movie and at the book and determine the dramatic strengths and weaknesses of one version compared to another.
Filename: BBtonto.doc

"No Idle Past: Uses Of History In The 1830 Indian Removal Debates"
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A 4 page review of the Fall 2000 article by Jason Meyers summarizing the political discord surrounding the Trail of Tears, the nineteenth century forced removal of the Cherokee people from their traditional land in the state of Georgia. No additional sources are listed.
Filename: PPnaRmvl.rtf

"Spiderwoman's Granddaughters"
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This 5 page paper discusses some examples of the symbolism in the book, "Spiderwoman's Granddaughters". Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: HVSpider.rtf

"The Laramie Project" And "Indian Killer" – Hatred
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3 pages in length. The writer briefly discusses racial discord and homosexual intolerance as they relate to hatred in "The Laramie Project" and "Indian Killer." Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: TLCLaramie.rtf

"The Origins of Canadian Indian Policy"
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A 3 page review of L.F.S. Upton's 1973 article on Native American policy in Canada. Upton presents the thesis that by 1814 Canada's indigenous peoples were no longer of any particular value to Canada. He then reviews the tactics that were employed to essentially rid the country of a perceived problem. No additional sources are listed.
Filename: PPnaCanP.rtf

"Thrown Among Strangers" by Douglas Monroy
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A 3 page paper which examines the Chumash Indian Revolt of 1824 as seen through Douglas Monroy's work "Thrown Among Strangers." No additional sources cited.
Filename: RAchumsh.rtf

"What You Pawn I Will Redeem"
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A 4 page analysis of the short story by Sherman Alexie. This story portrays the impacts of white America on Native American welfare through the eyes of a homeless alcoholic Indian living on the streets of Spokane Washington. It details his quest to regain his connection with all that has been taken from him. No additional sources are listed.
Filename: PPnaPawn.rtf

'Native Roots' by Jack Weatherford
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A 5 page paper that reviews Weatherford's book, focusing upon defining his thesis and demonstrating support for Weatherford's belief that major political, cultural, and social constructs in the Americas, including the economy, were based on the principles and techniques of Native American communities. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: Nativer.wps

'Native Roots' by Jack Weatherford # 2
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A 5 page paper that considers the importance of Weatherford's historical account of the relationship between European settlers and Native American communities. This paper presents Weatherford's work in a critical perspective, noting that his focus on the importance of the interaction between Indians and European settlers almost negates the devastating impacts enacted against the Indians. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: Nativer2.wps

'The Broken Spears': The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico
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A 6 page overview of Miguel Leon Portilla's 'The Broken Spears : The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico'. Reveals that this book differs from typical accounts of the conquest of Mexico in that it is one of the few accounts which is presented from the aspect of the indigenous peoples who lived there rather than from the perspective of the European marauders who invaded their lands and killed their peoples. Examines the question of why the Spanish were able to conquer the Aztec. Suggests that this accomplishment is not just due to technological superiority but also to Spanish mindset. The Spanish conquered the Aztec by destroying their culture and exposing them to the ravages of disease. No additional sources are listed.
Filename: PPaztec.rtf

A Century of Religious Evolution among Native Americans
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A 7 page paper discussing how the issue of religion among Native Americans has come full circle in the past century. The federal government officially banned some tribes' most sacred religious rites - the potlatch of the Cree was subversive because it redistributed wealth among members - forbade the use of native languages and removed entire tribes from their ancestral lands. White missionaries were certain that the "savages" had to be civilized before they could be evangelized, and did not take the time to realize how similar native religion and Christianity were. Some groups are returning to the traditional ways; others are blending tradition with Christianity; still others persecute the Christians in their midst in retribution for the centuries of persecution at the hands of Christians. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: KSnativAmRel.wps

A Comparison of Appalachian and Cherokee Cultures
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A 9 page comparison of these sometimes diverse yet sometimes astonishingly similar cultures. The author of this paper defines the geographic range encompassed by the Appalachians and the unique peoples who presently live there. The author notes that this range was once the homelands of the Cherokee Indians. Specific details are provided on the cultural organization of these two groups, as well as their subsistence patterns, and information about their material culture. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: PPapala2.rtf

A Comparison of the History and Culture of the Oglala Sioux and the Crow and the Interactions with White America
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A 5 page overview of the trials and tribulations faced by these Native Americans at the hands of the Europeans who invaded their lands. Discusses the changes to traditional lifeways which occurred and the amazing ability of these people to persevere into modern times despite the odds. Emphasizes the teachings found in “Black Elk Speaks” (edited by John G. Neihardt) and Frederick E. Hoxie’s “Parading Through History: The Making of the Crow Nation in America, 1805-1935”. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: PPnaCrow.wps

A COMPARISON/CONTRAST OF MY ANTONIA TO FOOLS CROW
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This 3 page paper compares/contrasts the work of Willa Cather to James Welch. Formal paper presentation. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: MBcrow.rtf