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NATIVE GAMES IN
SCHOOL
Native games in the school curriculum can be used as a vehicle for
engaging students in meaningful activities that will provide both
motivation and real world application for what they learn. Native
games also fulfill the Native cultural values of sharing, promoting
cooperative team work, hard work, respecting others, and encouraging
positive self-esteem. The following is a list of ideas that could be
used at the elementary level to expand the use of Native games in the
school curriculum.
1. Divide the students into small groups. After an oral discussion
identifying the different Native groups in Alaska, each group will be
allowed to select a native group. In the library, students could
explore different games played by that particular culture.
2. Another way to obtain information is by contacting Native
parents or elders and asking for their ideas. Since Anchorage has a
Pioneers' Home and Mary Conrad Center, a field trip to either
location to visit some of the elders from aboriginal cultures could
occur. This way the students could experience first hand story
telling and games played by Natives. Other communities in Alaska have
similar facilities, or provide access to the wisdom of the Native
elders, in much the same way as Anchorage.
3. The student groups will be allowed to select games from
an aboriginal Native culture and demonstrate them to the class. They
may wish to draw pictures to help illustrate the games, tell stories
about the games, or put the games to music.
4. During P.E. time, each group could teach the rest of the class
how to play these games so that everyone would participate. They
could record and graph individual progress
5. Each group could decide how their games will be produced on
video tape. The camera person could be another student, community
member, or parent.
6. The students might also have an assembly and invite WEIO, AWG,
or NYO competitor(s). This person(s) could demonstrate and discuss
the games, their importance, the amount of training and self
discipline required to compete.
7. Students could participate in Junior NYO. The events could be
as follows:
1st and 2nd graders Stick Pull, Kneel Jump, and Seal Hop
3rd and 4th graders Wrist Carry, Two Foot High Kick, and Alaskan
High Kick
5th and 6th Graders Scissor Broad Jump, Arm Pull, and One Foot
High Kick
8. Students could participate in a Native games tournament to
measure their skills against the rest of the class or school.
9. Using the computer lab, the groups could develop a hypercard
program on games played by Natives. Using a scanner, they might
import pictures to help illustrate the games.
10. Students could form different small groups and explore games
which originated in other countries. Which country would be
determined by that particular group as long as there were no
duplications. The same sequence of events, selection of games,
demonstration to the class, and teaching other students how to play
these games could occur.
11. Students could form a third small group and explore games from
other Native American tribes. Which tribe would be determined by that
particular group as long as there were no duplications. The same
sequence of events, selection of games, demonstration to the class,
and teaching other students how to play these games could occur.
12. Students could obtain out-of-school learning experience by
volunteering at the Anchorage Pioneers' Home and Mary Conrad Center,
in order to spend additional time with elders.
13. Students could attend and/or participate in WEIO, AWG, OR
NYO.
14. Students could develop an entrepreneur business centered
around Native games by providing demonstrations daily for tourists,
locals, and other interested parties.
15. Students could keep a journal with reflections on Native games
or any aspect of this theme.
16. Students could be involved in debriefing sessions which allow
them to express their feelings and thoughts on Native games. Their
invaluable voice should be heard.
17. The students could plan a camping trip to a village or a
location of the students' choice for a week. This activity could
change their lives.
It is my belief that many of the participants in today's games
feel a sense of responsibility to learn the Native culture and
language through these traditional activities. The games provide a
good way for the participants to regain the respect for elders'
knowledge, which is quickly being diminished, in our changing world.
The participants communicate with the elders about the traditional
purpose of the games and how they came about, as well as learning
about the meaning of life. The games provide everyone with the
opportunity to learn and gain knowledge of the past.
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