Indigenous Music

This collection features resources to learn about and experience Indigenous music.

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Alaska Native Cultural Resources (ANKN) Searchable Lessons & Units
Alaska Native Cultural Resources (ANKN) Searchable Lessons & Units
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This is a database of lessons and units searchable by content and cultural standards, cultural region and grade level.

Included are lessons and units on:
Whouy Sze Kuinalth - "Teaching Our Many Grandchildren"
Tauhna Cauyalitahtug - (To Make a Drum)
Math Story Problems
St. Lawrence Island Rain Parka
Winds and Weather
Willow
Driftwood
Snowshoes
Moose
Plants of the Tundra
Animal Classification for Yup'ik Region
Rabbit Snaring
The Right Tool for the Job - Fishing Tools and Technology
Blackfish
Family Tree
Medicinal Plants of the Kodiak Alutiiq Archipelago
Beaver in Interior Alaska
Digging and Preparing Spruce Roots
Moose in Interior Alaska
Birds Around the Village
Dog Salmon

This site also has the "Handbook for Culturally Responsive Science Curriculum".

Subject:
English Language Arts
Health Education
Indigenous Perspectives
Aboriginal Languages
Native Studies
Math
Practical & Applied Arts
Science
Social Studies
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Assessment
Homework/Assignment
Lesson
Reading
Teaching/Learning Strategy
Unit of Study
Author:
Alaska Native Cultural Resources
Date Added:
11/20/2018
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"Blackbird" Paul McCartney & Mi'kmaq Version
Only Sharing Permitted
CC BY-NC-ND
"Blackbird" Paul McCartney & Mi'kmaq Version
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A student assignment looking at the orginial Beetle's song "Blackbird" and talking about the culture release of the Mi'maq version released music students at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia created the cover as part of the International Year of Indigenous Languages, a United Nations initiative aimed at raising awareness of endangered Indigenous languages around the world.

Subject:
Arts Education
Band
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Author:
Brenna SIroski
Date Added:
06/13/2019
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Book 5, Music Across Classrooms: Visual Arts. Chapter 2, Lesson 1: Negotiating Native Identity Through Art and Music
Conditional Remix & Share Permitted
CC BY-NC-SA
Book 5, Music Across Classrooms: Visual Arts. Chapter 2, Lesson 1: Negotiating Native Identity Through Art and Music
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In this lesson, students begin by examining the ways their sense of identity might be affected by social pressures associated with different spaces. By watching clips from RUMBLE, students then discover how musicians Robbie Robertson, Stevie Salas, and Taboo have negotiated their Native identities, and compare these musician's journeys with those of earlier Native Americans.

Subject:
Arts Education
Band
Visual Arts
Material Type:
Unit of Study
Provider:
TeachRock
Date Added:
10/08/2019
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Earth Songs
Earth Songs
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EARTH SONGS

Socials within all Iroquois communities are meant to be enjoyed by all in attendance, especially when everyone dances.

Social songs vary in length, verses and tempo depending on the song selection of the singers. All dances are done in a counter clockwise direction.

A social is run by a "house keeper" or "pusher". The job of the "house keepers" is to find lead singers and to know which songs that each lead singer knows. Their job also includes finding lead dancers for the upcoming dance. He then goes to the announcer with the information. All dances are introduced in the Iroquois language of the speaker. In some instances, instructions are provided to ensure that dances are carried out properly.

WATERDRUM
The instruments used in the social dances in various combinations are the water drum, the horn rattle, hard sticks and the beating of the feet on the floor.

This site gives examples of a number of different social dances and Earth Songs

Subject:
Indigenous Perspectives
Native Studies
Social Studies
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Lesson
Date Added:
11/05/2018
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Gentle Warrior - YouTube
Gentle Warrior - YouTube
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Gentle Warrior was written by students and staff at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Canada in tribute to Mi'kmaq poet and Eskasoni native, Rita Joe. The track features lead vocals by Kalolin Johnson, the rap styling of Devon Paul and powwow chanting by Thunder Herney. Gentle Warrior was created with the support of the National Arts Centre of Canada.

Subject:
Indigenous Perspectives
Native Studies
Social Studies
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Author:
Allison Bernard Memorial High School
Kalolin Johnson
Date Added:
11/20/2018
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Molly of the Denali: Grandpa's Drum
Only Sharing Permitted
CC BY-NC-ND
Molly of the Denali: Grandpa's Drum
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Molly finds an old photo of Grandpa as a child and is shocked to see him singing and drumming—Grandpa never sings. Molly learns about Grandpa’s time in a residential school (or a boarding school, as it’s referred to in the episode).

Subject:
Indigenous Perspectives
Treaty Education
Social Studies
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Author:
CBC Gem
Date Added:
02/03/2022
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National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education
National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education
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The educational resources you find here are for Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators teaching students and learners of all ages.
Here, you will find:
Lesson plans developed with an Indigenous perspective for teaching:
-Indigenous, land-based skills and knowledge;
-Indigenous languages;
-Mainstream K-12 subjects infused with Indigenous knowledge.
Some lesson plans are adaptable for professional development opportunities.
Videos that can be used as part of lesson plans or on their own.
Helpful materials for educators to:
-Evaluate your and your learners’ experiences with a lesson;
-Create your own lesson plans using templates with an Indigenous-based, student-centered approach.
Find lesson plans in: Indigenous Languages, Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, On the Land, Art, Music, Commerce or Business, Careers, Science, Biology, Math, Nutrition, Family and Parenting, History, Social Studies.

Subject:
Arts Education
Business
Health Education
Indigenous Perspectives
Math
Career & Work Exploration
Science
Biology
Social Studies
History
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Homework/Assignment
Lesson
Author:
Indigenous Education - The National Centre for Collaboration
Date Added:
09/14/2022
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Native Drum Themed Resource Kits
Native Drum Themed Resource Kits
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Canadian Teachers of grades 4-11 classes can find free, downloadable, printable Teachers’ Resource Kits (TRK’s). These materials are usable as is or customizable for printing and use in the classroom, and include lesson plans, reference to background materials, in-class exercises, quizzes, and grading rubrics.

Themes included are:
- Myths, Legends, & Stories
- Poems
- The Spirit of the Drum
- The Science of Sound
- Constructing an Instrument
- Journals

The site also has other resources to explore.

Subject:
Arts Education
English Language Arts
Indigenous Perspectives
Native Studies
Physics
Social Studies
History
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Assessment
Diagram/Illustration
Homework/Assignment
Lesson
Reading
Teaching/Learning Strategy
Author:
Native Drums
Date Added:
11/20/2018
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"Tawow" Welcome to Pow-Wow Country!
"Tawow" Welcome to Pow-Wow Country!
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Pow-wow to the First Nations people of Saskatchewan is a way of life and a symbol of cultural survival. There are more Pow-wows here in Saskatchewan on an annual basis than any other province or state in North America. Saskatchewan Pow-wows can be labeled as the best in North America as the dancers and drum groups are proven champions throughout North America. This dance form is traced to the Omaha and Pawnee people of the southern United States and came north through the Dakota people.

This site gives background knowledge on the history of Pow-wows and describes contemporary Pow-wows. It outlines different dance styles and regalia.

From University of Saskatchewan Archives.

Subject:
Indigenous Perspectives
Native Studies
Social Studies
History
Material Type:
Reading
Author:
Patricia Deiter
Date Added:
11/16/2018
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Treaty 6 Units and Lesson Plans - Creator - Land - People - FNMI
Unrestricted Use
Public Domain
Treaty 6 Units and Lesson Plans - Creator - Land - People - FNMI
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Living Sky School Division teachers and consultants share their units and lessons that highlight Treaty Essential learnings. The resource list will continue to grow over time. We welcome your feedback and contributions to this collection of units.

Grade 1 - 7 Plains Cree Hand Drumming Overview

Grade 3 - Lifestyle changes after signing treaty unit

Grade 4 - Residential Schools unit

Grade 4 - Whose Voice? The Conquerors unit
Understanding worldview when learning about the treaties. Use drama and role play to create scenarios with the real characters from history. (Arts Ed/ELA/Treaty Ed)
Grade 5 - 12 - Response to Art viewing sheet with discussion, background and activity
Video with artist talking about her art work about residential schools

Grade 5 – Social Studies - Canada and Aboriginal Heritage unit
Review: Jeopardy Game
Grade 6 – ELA – Heroes/Models/Peacemakers unit

Grade 6 – Arts Education – Métis Identity & Jigging unit

Grade 7 – Ecosystems & Indigenous Knowledge: “Healing Garden”unit
Sacred Plants (3 min. audio file: Oral Storytelling, from CBC Re/Vision Quest podcast "Elders")

Grade 8 – Social Studies - We Are All Treaty People unit

Subject:
Indigenous Perspectives
Native Studies
Treaty Education
Truth and Reconciliation
Social Studies
Material Type:
Lesson
Podcast
Unit of Study
Author:
Creator - Land - People
Date Added:
08/31/2018
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