I reviewed the Jake Thomas Learning Center and the National Museum of the American Indian.


Founded by Jake Thomas and his wife Yvonne the Jake Thomas Learning (https://jakethomaslearningcentre.ca/) center was founded to preserve the cultural and oral history of the Hodenosaunee (Iroquois) nations.  Its main objective is “To establish a historical and current Library Resource Centre whereby educators from all over the world can come to research and learn first-hand about the history and development of the Iroquoian people.” “The Jake Thomas Collection is one of the largest archive of native traditions in the world.”  This website provides a variety of workshops, artwork and publications that help to preserve and promote the Six Nations culture and history as per the list of available publications below.


Sandpiper Press

Produced by Yvonne Thomas and the late Cayuga Chief Jake Thomas.

Publication List Publication List 


Videotape & DVD Recordings 7

Other Resources 8

Cayuga Language 9

Ceremonial & Social Dance Songs 11

The Condolence Ceremony & Funeral Speeches 14

Creation Prints & Posters 18

The Five Nations Confederacy, The Great Law, The Code of Handsome Lake, Ceremonies 19

Mohawk Language 23

Onondaga Language 27

The History of the Iroquois Confederacy & Stories 32

Treaties & Wampum 34

Wampum Belts 36”


The information at this site has shown me the diversity of material from Hodenosaunee artists that bring to life, and keep alive, the Indian perspective of the culture of America before and since the arrival of Europeans.  This is displayed in the publications above and the creation prints below.






“The traditions of the Iroquois account of Creation have been a part of the rich spiritual and cultural life of the People of the Longhouse for generations. 

The events and meaning of this narrative are traditionally carried through time in the memories of the Elders. It is a sacred account fundamental to native culture and identity. Its deep meaning has always been treated with the greatest respect and retold with dignity and sanctity.”






                The National Museum of the American Indian(https://americanindian.si.edu/) was founded by the Smithsonian Institute “In partnership with Native peoples and their allies” to “foster a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples” and for “Equity and social justice for the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere through education, inspiration, and empowerment.”  These mission statements from the museum’s website explain quite clearly the attempt to convey a full understanding of American history.  The museum also offers a blog with many current topics related to Indian affairs and an extensive list of treaties signed by the Native Americans with the government of the United States.


As with the Jake Thomas Learning Center the National Museum of the American Indian proves to be a quality website for the amount of diverse offerings it has to choose from, such as the film and media section per the example below, “To highlight the creative work of talented Native Americans in film and offer the public insight into contemporary issues and ways of life in Native communities.”



House Made of Dawn: A Closer Look


December 2005

The film adaptation of Kiowa author N. Scott Momaday's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel House Made of Dawn represents an important moment in the history of Native American images on film. Scripted by Momaday and director Richardson Morse, House Made of Dawn (1972) stars Larry Littlebird as a young Pueblo man in crisis.



Both of these websites have shown me the diversity of Native American cultural history available for those who seek it.  From the museum’s website, they strive to show the Native American perspective by, “promoting the beauty of Native culture and expression, the role of Native peoples in Western and world history, and their ongoing contributions to humanity” and “to speak authentically and to present Native peoples' deeply held understandings of their own cultures and histories.”





Jake Thomas Learning Center, https://jakethomaslearningcentre.ca/


National Museum of the American Indian, https://americanindian.si.edu/

Comments

  1. JM599October 11, 2019 at 4:51 PM

    I really enjoyed all the artwork that is featured on the website. I specifically talked about the one that depicted "mother nature." I thought that one was beautiful and I like the message that is attached to it. In a weird way it reminded of a scene from the lion king. I was disappointed that some of the other links didn't work. I was hoping to look at some of the other sites.

    ReplyDelete
  2. RussOctober 19, 2019 at 11:03 AM

    I liked the National Museum of American Indian website. Specifically found the treaty exhibit interesting https://americanindian.si.edu/nationtonation/. You can view and read the transcripts of these important agreements between the Indian Nations and the United States government.

    ReplyDelete
  3. SueR9020October 27, 2019 at 4:11 PM

    The treaties were very interesting to read, what I would have like to see if there were changes to these treaties through the years and any of the court decisions that might have changed these agreements. The next module will show how the US Supreme Court weighs in on Native Affairs and how the federal, state, and local governments find it difficult to balance the rights of everyone.

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