Journeys West

Congratulations! You chose the role of the Native American.

Step One:
Begin your research by reading the passage titled Indians at the Time of Contact 1600-1850 from the Pioneering the Upper Mid-West, American Memory collection. While reading, write down keywords on the Information Gathering worksheet to search the American Memory collections.

Step Two:
Consider the following questions while conducting reseach on your topic.

• What motivated the Native Americans to interact with the people who traveled west?
• How were the Native Americans living before they did they encountered those who journeyed west?
• How did the changed conditions influence decisions of the Native Americans?
• What were the conflicts between the Native Americans and the settlers who moved west?
• How did policies of the U.S. government influence the lives of Native Americans?

Begin your research using the following links:

Step Three:
Try searching the collections by using the following Information Gathering worksheet.

• American Indians of the Pacific NorthWest

• History of the American West, 1860-1920: Photographs from the Collection of the Denver Public Library

• Edward S. Curtis's The North American Indian: Photographic Images

• The Northern Great Plain

Step Four:
Using the information from your research write a petition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs sharing your concerns about the conditions caused by the influx of settlers to the West. Edit and revise your letter according to the writing rubric.

Step Five:
All the Native Americans will chronicle the effects of the journeys west upon the Native Americans for the Pioneer Museum. Your combined exhibition must include a journal, map, timeline, broadside and at least one additional artifact. Study the project guidelines and then decide among your group which project you will contribute.

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