BOOK GUIDES
Student Choice Culminating Project Ideas
The following are several options for student choice as culminating project ideas to complete after reading Cherokee Nation: A History of Survival, Self-Determination, and Identity . These projects encourage critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful reflection on the themes of sovereignty, cultural resilience, and historical justice. 1. Digital Timeline: Cherokee Survival and Sovereignty Create a detailed, interactive timeline that traces major events from pre-removal through the modern era of Cherokee self-determination. Include visuals, quotes, and reflections for each milestone. 2. Multimedia Documentary or Video Essay Produce a 5–7 minute documentary exploring a key theme (e.g., the Trail of Tears, cultural revitalization, or modern tribal governance). Incorporate historical images, narration, and music to reflect Cherokee perspective. 3. Modern-Day Treaty Proposal Draft a modern “treaty” or legal framework that addresses a current issue facing the Cherokee Nation (e.g., land rights, language preservation). Justify each clause using historical examples and lessons from the book. 4. Indigenous Journalism Project Create a newspaper or magazine issue featuring articles, editorials, and interviews (real or imagined) covering major topics from the book: Indian Removal, the Dawes Act, tribal resilience, and present-day issues. Include a student editorial on why Indigenous history should be required in school curricula. 5. Creative Writing Portfolio: Voices of the Cherokee Nation Write a series of creative pieces (e.g., monologues, poems, fictional letters, journal entries) from the perspectives of Cherokee individuals across different time periods. Include historical context and author’s notes for each piece. 6. Museum Exhibit Design Design a physical or digital exhibit showcasing the survival and self-determination of the Cherokee Nation. Include sections such as “Before Removal,” “The Trail of Tears,” “Rebuilding in Indian Territory,” and “The Cherokee Nation Today.” 7. Community Action or Awareness Campaign Develop a campaign that raises awareness about Cherokee history and sovereignty in your school or community. Include posters, social media plans, presentations, or event ideas (e.g., Indigenous Peoples’ Day activities or cultural exchanges). 8. Comparative Nationhood Research Project Compare the Cherokee Nation's path to self-determination with another Indigenous nation (e.g., Navajo, Haudenosaunee, Lakota). Present similarities and differences in governance, federal relationships, cultural preservation, and current challenges. 9. Podcast or Interview Series
Create a podcast episode or audio project that analyzes a chapter or theme from the book. Include interviews (real or dramatized) with historians, educators, or community leaders. 10. Art & Resistance Portfolio
Produce a visual arts project (paintings, collage, sculpture, photography) representing different themes from the book. Accompany each piece with a written artist’s statement that ties it to the Cherokee experience of survival and identity.
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