BOOK GUIDES
Essential Questions Teacher will introduce the essential questions for students to think about as the book is read. These questions help students be engaged, make connections, promotes inquiry, and fosters thoughtful class conversation. The essential questions will guide the class discussion, activities, and support student deeper learning and reflection. 1. In what ways does centering Indigenous voices change our understanding of Native American history? 2. How has the Cherokee Nation maintained sovereignty and self-determination despite forced removal, land loss, and shifting U.S. policies? 3. Why is it important to understand Cherokee history as an ongoing story rather than a past event that ended with the Trail of Tears? 4. How do governance, kinship, and citizenship shape Cherokee identity differently from common stereotypes about Native identity? 5. In what ways have Cherokee leaders and communities adapted to protect culture, language, and Nationhood across generations? 6. What responsibilities do educators and students have when learning and teaching the history of a living Tribal Nation like the Cherokee Nation?
Words to Learn
Sovereignty - The inherent right of the Cherokee Nation to govern itself, make laws, and manage its affairs as a distinct political nation. Self-Determination - The ability of the Cherokee Nation and its citizens to make decisions about their future, governance, culture, and community priorities. Nationhood - The political and cultural identity of the Cherokee Nation as a people with its own government, laws, territory, and shared history. Removal - The forced displacement of the Cherokee people from their homelands in the southeastern United States, culminating in the Trail of Tears. Trail of Tears - The forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation and other Tribes in the 1830s, resulting in widespread death, trauma, and lasting impacts. Treaty - A formal, legal agreement between the Cherokee Nation and the United States that recognizes rights, responsibilities, and nation-to-nation relationships. Citizenship - Legal membership in the Cherokee Nation, based on Tribal law and community belonging—not race, blood myths, or appearance. Allotment - A federal policy that divided Tribal lands into individual parcels, weakening Tribal land ownership and governance. Cultural Continuity - The ongoing practice, preservation, and renewal of Cherokee language, traditions, values, and ways of life across generations. Governance - The systems, leaders, and institutions through which the Cherokee Nation organizes decision-making and serves its citizens.
Teaching young children to learn and care as stewards involves instilling in them a sense of responsibility, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. This can be done through various educational activities, discussions, and experiences that promote understanding and appreciation for the environment, community, and themselves. For example, engaging children in nature-based activities like gardening, recycling projects, or outdoor exploration can help them develop a connection to the natural world and understand the importance of caring for it. Additionally, incorporating lessons on kindness, cooperation, and respect for others helps foster empathy and a sense of social responsibility. By providing opportunities for children to actively participate in caring for their surroundings and others, educators can empower them to become thoughtful and compassionate stewards of their environment and communities. Page 10
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