NATIVE GEOGRAPHIES
Geography / American Indian Studies 322 / 522
Professor Zoltan Grossman
Your Name:
Selected Tribal Nation:
EXERCISE #1: GETTING TO KNOW A TRIBAL NATION
In this exercise you will be examining the basic geography and history of the tribal nation you have selected for in-depth study. This qualitative research will introduce you to the nation, which will help to track it as a case study throughout the course, and to investigate possible topics for your Final Project The research “detective work” should also help you develop research skills, and critical thinking skills that will help decipher complex and conflicting information. Answer the questions completely, as best you can. Put “N.A.” only if the question is
“Not Applicable.”
PLEASE TYPE ALL INFORMATION, PRINT THE EXERCISE OUT, AND STAPLE THE PAGES
SOURCES
1.
The General Native Links and your “Tribal Nations Case Studies” book and websites linked at www.uwec.edu/grossmzc/nations.html
You can access other printed and web materials, but don’t copy them!
2.
The Atlas of the North American Indian (one of your required texts). Look for geographical information, rather than anthropological data (language, rituals, kinship, etc .) or strictly historical data (personalities, documents, battles, etc .).
3.
The Handbook of North American Indians . The noncirculating Handbook volumes are on the 1 st floor of the Library in the U.S. Government Collections ( not the Reference Collections) at call number SI 1.20/2.
Use the crank to move the bookshelves. Try not to crush any small children, and apologize if you do.
A. THE BASICS
1.
Selected Tribal Nation (and English meaning):
Answer
2.
What they call themselves in their own language (and English meaning):
Answer
3.
Cultural Area: Answer
4.
Three neighboring tribes in the same Cultural Area:
Answer
5.
Volume number of the Handbook of North American Indians: Answer
6.
U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces where they live today (and any other countries):
Answer
7.
Their language is part of this Language Family: Answer
8.
Three related languages from the same Language Family:
Answer
9.
If the tribe has more than one reservation, name at least three of its largest reservations or reserves:
Answer
10.
Examples of primary towns/villages within any of the tribe’s reservation(s):
Answer

Native Geographies Exercise 1, Page 2 YOUR NAME:
B. CREATION AND ORIGINS
11.
Briefly describe the spiritual/cosmological tribal account of the origins of the tribe. According to the tribal legends, where did the People come from? Did they originally come from the earth, the sky, or in a migration from another place? Was the origin of the People at the same time or place as the
Creation of the world? How do the legends explain the origins of tribal clans? Document your sources.
Answer
12.
Briefly describe anthropological and/or “scientific” theories about the origin of the tribe (as distinct from theories about the general origins of American Indians). According to these theories, and any supporting evidence, how long have they existed as a distinct group? Are they still living where they originated, and (if not) where did they live before migrating to their present location? Document your sources.
Answer
13.
Interpret the two versions of the origins of the tribe. Are they completely at odds, or are there
areas of overlap or agreement? What do the differing versions say about the Native relationship
to place? What does the tribal origin legends say about the tribal relationship to animals and the
rest of the natural world? How do you think should non-Indians treat the conflicting versions?
Answer

Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Native Geographies Exercise 1, Page 3 YOUR NAME:
C. HISTORICAL TIMELINE
You have read much of the history of the tribal nation in the Atlas and the Handbook , as well as web sources.
Construct a timeline with the “red-letter dates” of the tribe’s history. Prioritize what are the 20 most important dates (or short periods) that explain the current geographic location and status of the tribe. Start with any Pre-
Contact estimated dates, Contact, any migrations or removals, wars, revolts, epidemics, treaties, etc . Complete the timeline with any important recent events, conflicts, court decisions, etc . Use additional pages if necessary.
The timeline must be in your own words, using multiple sources.
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event
Year : Event

Native Geographies Exercise 1, Page 4 YOUR NAME:
D. RELATIONSHIP TO READINGS
1. You have read Wilkins’ Chapter 1. What did he discuss in the chapter that related to your tribal nation case study? Did you recognize complexities about Indian lands and identity when you conducted your research? Be detailed: where and how?
Answer
2. You have also read LaDuke Chapter 7, which explores the historic and contemporary Native relationship to the buffalo. What animals or plants have been especially valued by the tribal nation you are studying, whether for economic, spiritual or cultural reasons? Why has the land of the nation been historically coveted by the U.S. or Canada; what natural resources has it offered to Euro-American society?
Answer
3. Whether in the readings or the websites, have you detected any examples of Eurocentric misinformation or bias? Have tribal members complained about their portrayal by non-Indian scholars, and how?
Answer
4.
What difficulties did you encounter in conducting your research on the tribal nation? How did it help you identify gaps or shortcomings in the information available? Describe how you may have encountered obstacles and gotten around them. Do you have anything more to add?
Answer