NATIVE AMERICAN WRITER OFFERS ANTI-STEREOTYPING TIPS FOR TEACHERS IN NOVEMBER 2002 TEACHERS.NET GAZETTE - Helping teachers avoid the perpetuation of stereotypes is the goal of Diane-Tells-His-Name, member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and author of "Teaching Young Children About Native Americans," featured in the November 2002 issue of the Teachers.Net Gazette webzine

Native American Writer Offers Anti-Stereotyping Tips for Teachers in November 2002 Teachers.Net Gazette

Oglala Lakota author counters misinformation about Native Americans

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Helping teachers avoid the perpetuation of stereotypes is the goal of Diane-Tells-His-Name, member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and author of "Teaching Young Children About Native Americans," featured in the November 2002 issue of the Teachers.Net Gazette webzine.

The issue of stereotyping Native Americans has particular relevance during the Thanksgiving season when school pageants often feature Indians emerging from teepees in war paint and headdress, to mingle with Pilgrims for the "first Thanksgiving." Diane-Tells-His-Name points out that this depiction of the Native Americans who occupied the area settled by the European pilgrims is inaccurate, and that the image most people form when they hear the term "Indian" is actually that of the western Lakota and Plains Nations of peoples, only 2 of the approximately 500 unique nations of native peoples in this country. Her mission is to alert teachers to the misinformation which may be disseminated or suggested in their classrooms and schools.

To remedy the problem of miseducation and the proliferation of misinformation, the author offers more than two dozen methods for teachers to use when teaching about Native American peoples. One urges educators to avoid referring to or using materials which depict Native Americans as "savages," "primitives," or "extinct."

Included with the article are valuable Internet resources related to Native Americans and a collection of historically accurate books which will illuminate the facts and dispel many of the myths associated with native peoples.

In existence since March 2000, the monthly Teachers.Net Gazette offers dozens of articles contributed by some of the best known names in education and by classroom practitioners, offering commentary, pedagogy and practical tips for their audience of pre-k through secondary school teachers, college instructors, and school administrators.