Comments for U & D http://wabquest.edublogs.org a space for the exploration of LD291 and its implementation Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:28:47 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 Comment on Doctrine of Discovery by Steve Hayes http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2009/08/01/doctrine-of-discovery/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Steve Hayes Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:28:47 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=109#comment-37 I first heard about this "Doctrine of Discovery" last week, and it was apparently formulated by the US Supreme Court in 1823 (so much for the alleged "separation of church and state in the US). I believe that calling it "The Christian doctrine of discovery" (as opposed to "The doctrine of Christian discovery") is both mischievous and malicious, and is tantamount to hate speech. I first heard about this “Doctrine of Discovery” last week, and it was apparently formulated by the US Supreme Court in 1823 (so much for the alleged “separation of church and state in the US).

I believe that calling it “The Christian doctrine of discovery” (as opposed to “The doctrine of Christian discovery”) is both mischievous and malicious, and is tantamount to hate speech.

]]> Comment on What the Indians ate – or eat? by Jana Boody http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2009/05/06/what-the-indians-ate-or-eat-or-shame-on-you/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Jana Boody Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:07:06 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=101#comment-36 Betsy, you are most definitely not alone in believing that non-native educators can and should teach Wabanaki Studies (LD291, as you reference this). In fact the entire Maine Legislature and a variety of native organizations (including many tribal leaders!) support Maine educators in their instruction of Wabanaki studies. The 2007 Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction include Wabanaki Studies (Maine Native Studies) with the expectation that teachers deliver explicit instruction in this topic! Betsy, you are most definitely not alone in believing that non-native educators can and should teach Wabanaki Studies (LD291, as you reference this). In fact the entire Maine Legislature and a variety of native organizations (including many tribal leaders!) support Maine educators in their instruction of Wabanaki studies. The 2007 Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction include Wabanaki Studies (Maine Native Studies) with the expectation that teachers deliver explicit instruction in this topic!

]]> Comment on Apology: A Bill to Watch by nick_eltboc http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2008/07/25/apology-a-bill-to-watch/comment-page-1/#comment-35 nick_eltboc Sun, 17 May 2009 00:18:27 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=52#comment-35 http://www.message_ladeldomdro.com/ http://www.message_ladeldomdro.com/

]]> Comment on What the Indians ate – or eat? by Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2009/05/06/what-the-indians-ate-or-eat-or-shame-on-you/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain Thu, 07 May 2009 22:41:20 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=101#comment-34 Actually, when you teach children, you must cherry-pick. Any text that speaks of Native Americans in the past should be questioned. I was perhaps strong in my last sentence - but I have learned in my work with and listening to the Elders and tribal leaders of the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Micmac that language is culture - and our language reflects our culture and its bias, as do theirs. The author of this book is clearly credible - and his overall message may be effective (I have ordered but not received the book) - but is not by romanticising the role and life of Maine's natives that understanding will be gained. Actually, the best part of the article was the brief mention of hardships, trading, and even conflicts. I am not arguing with the concept of migrations (although since I wrote those lessons I have new understandings), but with the suggestion that in the native calendar, there months. What other understanding would an elementary or middle student - or a Maine teacher just beginning the learning journey - gain from the diagram? As you know, there are no "months" - Joseph Bruchac and many others, such as many native authors of The Wabanakis of Maine & the Maritimes, have made more appropriate calendars available. I do wonder why one of these was not used by Hardy. And you should know that I have stood somewhat alone in my position that non-Native educators can and should teach to LD291 - but with an awareness of the negative materials always in the front on their minds. Actually, when you teach children, you must cherry-pick. Any text that speaks of Native Americans in the past should be questioned. I was perhaps strong in my last sentence – but I have learned in my work with and listening to the Elders and tribal leaders of the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Micmac that language is culture – and our language reflects our culture and its bias, as do theirs. The author of this book is clearly credible – and his overall message may be effective (I have ordered but not received the book) – but is not by romanticising the role and life of Maine’s natives that understanding will be gained. Actually, the best part of the article was the brief mention of hardships, trading, and even conflicts.
I am not arguing with the concept of migrations (although since I wrote those lessons I have new understandings), but with the suggestion that in the native calendar, there months. What other understanding would an elementary or middle student – or a Maine teacher just beginning the learning journey – gain from the diagram? As you know, there are no “months” – Joseph Bruchac and many others, such as many native authors of The Wabanakis of Maine & the Maritimes, have made more appropriate calendars available. I do wonder why one of these was not used by Hardy.
And you should know that I have stood somewhat alone in my position that non-Native educators can and should teach to LD291 – but with an awareness of the negative materials always in the front on their minds.

]]> Comment on What the Indians ate – or eat? by JD Clark http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2009/05/06/what-the-indians-ate-or-eat-or-shame-on-you/comment-page-1/#comment-33 JD Clark Thu, 07 May 2009 18:07:43 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=101#comment-33 "Ate is a huge problem. The use of the past tense inevitably suggests that the population studied is gone..." It does no such thing. It "inevitably" indicates that this is what Indian population used to eat. To say that "What my parents ate last night" does not "inevitably suggest" that my parents are now gone. " 'primal' [sic] is a word used in the first sentence, again suggesting that the Indians being studied are somehow less than civilized (savage)." Where do you find that inference? The sentence in which it is used says: "The most primal connection between a people and their habitat revolves around food." The same sentence could be written about teenagers and their relationship to fast food. Use of the word has no bearing on nor is it descriptive of social development of the Native peoples referenced in the article. Use of a Native calendar: Your own Website says: "Seasonal Migration is a core concept in understanding the Wabanakis." Those migrations are duly listed at the top of the calendar in the article, with months noted under it for non-Native understanding -- months that do not run Jan-Dec but rather March-Feb to better accommodate the Native seasonal rhythms. Sensitivity to stereotypical and condescending thinking is admirable and powerful. Over-sensitivity damages credibility and effectiveness. Ignoring facts and cherry-picking words to make false arguments destroys credibility and effectiveness. “Ate is a huge problem. The use of the past tense inevitably suggests that the population studied is gone…” It does no such thing. It “inevitably” indicates that this is what Indian population used to eat. To say that “What my parents ate last night” does not “inevitably suggest” that my parents are now gone.

” ‘primal’ [sic] is a word used in the first sentence, again suggesting that the Indians being studied are somehow less than civilized (savage).” Where do you find that inference? The sentence in which it is used says: “The most primal connection between a people and their habitat revolves around food.” The same sentence could be written about teenagers and their relationship to fast food. Use of the word has no bearing on nor is it descriptive of social development of the Native peoples referenced in the article.

Use of a Native calendar: Your own Website says: “Seasonal Migration is a core concept in understanding the Wabanakis.” Those migrations are duly listed at the top of the calendar in the article, with months noted under it for non-Native understanding — months that do not run Jan-Dec but rather March-Feb to better accommodate the Native seasonal rhythms.

Sensitivity to stereotypical and condescending thinking is admirable and powerful. Over-sensitivity damages credibility and effectiveness. Ignoring facts and cherry-picking words to make false arguments destroys credibility and effectiveness.

]]> Comment on Think about this wheel by Dennis Richards http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2009/01/25/think-about-this-wheel/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Dennis Richards Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:44:38 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=78#comment-32 The wheel comes from Stephanie Pace Marshall's book, "The Power to Transform." I am curious too, "...what the Native Wabanaki response" will be to her wheel/book. Please stay in touch. Dennis The wheel comes from Stephanie Pace Marshall’s book, “The Power to Transform.” I am curious too, “…what the Native Wabanaki response” will be to her wheel/book. Please stay in touch.

Dennis

]]> Comment on Old Fort Western Opportunity by Paul Bunnell http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2009/01/23/old-fort-western-opportunity/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Paul Bunnell Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:54:25 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=75#comment-31 Dear Pitti Violette, This site is a great one, especially on the Native Americans. Thanks to all for providing all this valuable information. Regards, Paul Bunnell, UE, President of Violette Family Association Koasek Abenaki Nation Sub-Chief Dear Pitti Violette,
This site is a great one, especially on the Native Americans. Thanks to all for providing all this valuable information.
Regards, Paul Bunnell, UE,
President of Violette Family Association
Koasek Abenaki Nation Sub-Chief

]]> Comment on Opportunity Rocks by Joseph E. Charnley http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2008/12/05/opportunity-rocks/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Joseph E. Charnley Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:27:11 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=65#comment-30 Betsy - Thank you, as always, for your wonderful work. And thanks for not blogging while we all were engaged in the exhaustive and fascinating exchange. Too many miss too much when they are attached to their machines instead of interacting with their colleagues. I am hoping that more of our colleagues will, over time, become aware of, and actively engaged in, the work of implementing LD291 in our classrooms. It is a slow and arduous process but it is one that offers great opportunities for professional and personal growth. I know that I am a better teacher and person for having involved myself in this work. I look forward to many more chances to learn and to share what I have learned with my students and my fellow teachers. Be well. Joseph Betsy – Thank you, as always, for your wonderful work. And thanks for not blogging while we all were engaged in the exhaustive and fascinating exchange. Too many miss too much when they are attached to their machines instead of interacting with their colleagues.

I am hoping that more of our colleagues will, over time, become aware of, and actively engaged in, the work of implementing LD291 in our classrooms. It is a slow and arduous process but it is one that offers great opportunities for professional and personal growth. I know that I am a better teacher and person for having involved myself in this work. I look forward to many more chances to learn and to share what I have learned with my students and my fellow teachers.

Be well. Joseph

]]> Comment on Write This Letter by Teri-Lyn Driscoll http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2008/06/24/write-this-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Teri-Lyn Driscoll Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:03:47 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=36#comment-27 Betsy, I attended the Best Practices conference in May. I want to thank you so much for the work you have done and are still doing to make my job so much easier and to increase my level of understanding in this area of studies. Your work is so much appreciated. I intend to employ some of your ideas in order to increase my students understanding and awareness of the cultural richness found among the native people living in our communities. Thank you again, Teri-Lyn Betsy,
I attended the Best Practices conference in May. I want to thank you so much for the work you have done and are still doing to make my job so much easier and to increase my level of understanding in this area of studies. Your work is so much appreciated.

I intend to employ some of your ideas in order to increase my students understanding and awareness of the cultural richness found among the native people living in our communities.

Thank you again,

Teri-Lyn

]]> Comment on Remembering Rosie by Julie Nowell http://wabquest.edublogs.org/2008/06/08/remembering-rosie/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Julie Nowell Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:46:39 +0000 http://wabquest.edublogs.org/?p=35#comment-26 Thank you for honoring Rosie this way, she was a warm wonderful woman, who I am so very grateful that she was a part of my life. I am so grateful that I was able to warmly embrace her at the Best Practices weekend tradtional supper in May. She will live on in our memories. Julie Nowell Native American Studies UMaine Thank you for honoring Rosie this way, she was a warm wonderful woman, who I am so very grateful that she was a part of my life. I am so grateful that I was able to warmly embrace her at the Best Practices weekend tradtional supper in May.

She will live on in our memories.

Julie Nowell
Native American Studies
UMaine

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