Find ideas and links for Native American music, dance, and cultural resources from and about Native American culture bearers.
There is no single American Indian culture or language. Researching tribes in your own area is the best way to learn about and honor Native Americans. Each tribe has its own unique traditions, history, and terminology.
Native American Music at My School
When we know better, we do better.
Doing better was researching my local tribes. I did Google searches, searched on YouTube, and eventually found a YouTube video that was of a powwow in my area with a link to a culture bearer. Then I was able to contact that person and after some conversations back and forth, he gave me a drumming piece.
My guidelines from him were the same as what I read everywhere, that teaching without background, meaning, and significance is wrong. Because of these requests, I’ve never shared this resource. My conversations back and forth with the culture bearer were like a mini-workshop and allowed me to learn from him all about the above-mentioned particulars.
When I brought the activity to the kids, it was with all of the information that I had been given and was a meaningful learning experience for them. I’m forever grateful that he took the time, trusted me, and gave me this precious part of his tribe’s culture.
Native American Music & Dance
Kammu Rabbit Book
Kammu Kammu is an interactive flipbook (digital download) with an original story and song by Native American music educator Michelle McCauley.
The story is about a young child and a rabbit and features some of the Northern Paiute Language from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (Michelle’s tribe).
It comes with a PDF teaching and pronunciation guide for educators to use in the classroom and an MP3 recording of the song, Kammu Kammu.
This is an ebook for immediate digital download.
Native American Music Workshop
This is a (free) subscriber site and has full lesson plans, videos, and resources.
Ojibwe Powwow Dancing
A tutorial on the dress and steps and meaning in powwow dancing.
Powwow Dancing
A short demonstration by a young dancer with information on the regalia, meaning, and steps of powwow dancing.
Hoop Dance from Winnipeg Canada
Not sure of the tribe but this reiterates the one-two steps in the powwow dance above along with hoops, accompanied by drum and singer.
Powwow Child Grass Dancer
From the Manito Ahbee Festival, the site says, “The Manito Ahbee sacred site is located in the western Whiteshell area of Manitoba. Manito Ahbee, an Ojibway word means, “where the Creator sits.”
The site is recognized and honoured by Indigenous peoples across North America as a sacred place for all people. The name of the province, Manitoba, is itself derived from the name of this sacred site.”
Native American Culture
Native Land
Information about Native lands and Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages including a teacher guide, searchable map, and other resources.
Crow | The Legend
Crow: The Legend is an exciting new animated movie starring John Legend as Crow, the most popular and admired animal in the forest with his magnificent colors and beautiful voice. But when the very first winter arrives, can Crow make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends?
Inspired by the original Native American legend, this story of sacrifice and community features Randy Edmonds, Kiowa-Caddo tribal elder and founder of the National Urban Indian Council as Narrator and Sarah Eagle Heart, CEO of Native Americans in Philanthropy, as Luna.
