Reading and Writing Workshop
Native American Resistance in the 19th Century
Overview:
This workshop explores key moments of Native American resistance against U.S. expansion in the 19th century. Each session combines historical readings from public domain sources with creative and analytical writing exercises to deepen understanding and reflection.
Session 1: The Great Sioux War and Sitting Bull
Focus: Native resistance to U.S. military incursions, including the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Reading Materials:
Session 2: The Wounded Knee Massacre
Focus: The massacre at Wounded Knee and its long-term impact on Native communities.
Reading Materials:
Session 3: Apache and Nez Perce Resistance
Focus: The stories of Geronimo and Chief Joseph.
Reading Materials:
Optional Capstone Session: Creative & Historical Synthesis
Focus: Synthesize knowledge from all sessions into a final project.
Activity:
Overview:
This workshop explores key moments of Native American resistance against U.S. expansion in the 19th century. Each session combines historical readings from public domain sources with creative and analytical writing exercises to deepen understanding and reflection.
Session 1: The Great Sioux War and Sitting Bull
Focus: Native resistance to U.S. military incursions, including the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Reading Materials:
- "The Life of Sitting Bull and the History of the Indian War of 1890-91" by W. Fletcher Johnson (1891)
https://archive.org/details/lifeofsittingbul00john - Selections from "Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1876"
(Includes government reports on the Battle of Little Bighorn)
https://archive.org/details/annualreportofco1876unit
- Write a reflective journal entry from the perspective of Sitting Bull or a Lakota warrior during the days leading up to the Battle of Little Bighorn.
- Analytical option: Write a short essay on the significance of the Battle of Little Bighorn in the broader context of U.S. westward expansion.
Session 2: The Wounded Knee Massacre
Focus: The massacre at Wounded Knee and its long-term impact on Native communities.
Reading Materials:
- "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown (excerpt available as it is copyrighted but limited public domain accounts are available)
Since Dee Brown’s book is not public domain, instead:
Use eyewitness accounts from "Official Report of the Wounded Knee Massacre (1891)"
https://archive.org/details/officialreportof00unit - "Black Elk Speaks" by John G. Neihardt (1932) - Black Elk’s account of Wounded Knee (public domain in the U.S.)
https://archive.org/details/BlackElkSpeaks
- Write a creative piece imagining the thoughts of a Lakota elder recounting the events at Wounded Knee to a younger generation.
- Analytical option: Analyze how differing accounts (e.g., government report vs. Black Elk) reflect contrasting perspectives on Wounded Knee.
Session 3: Apache and Nez Perce Resistance
Focus: The stories of Geronimo and Chief Joseph.
Reading Materials:
- "Geronimo’s Story of His Life" as told to S. M. Barrett (1906)
https://archive.org/details/geronimosstoryof00gero - Chief Joseph’s "An Indian's View of Indian Affairs" (1879, published in North American Review)
https://archive.org/details/indiansviewofind00jose - "Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1877" (Includes accounts related to the Nez Perce War)
https://archive.org/details/annualreportofco1877unit
- Write a monologue from the point of view of Geronimo or Chief Joseph as they face surrender.
- Analytical option: Compare the resistance strategies of the Apache and the Nez Perce in terms of geography, diplomacy, and tactics.
Optional Capstone Session: Creative & Historical Synthesis
Focus: Synthesize knowledge from all sessions into a final project.
Activity:
- Write a short historical fiction story, blending real events and characters studied throughout the workshop.
- Alternatively, compile a portfolio of reflective and analytical writings from each session with a foreword discussing your evolving understanding of Native American resistance.