Native American History Native American History andand

The Light in the ForestThe Light in the Forest

Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus

““Discovered” America?Discovered” America?

What Europeans Were Searching What Europeans Were Searching ForFor

Trade RoutesTrade Routes GoldGold Religious FreedomReligious Freedom

What Europeans BroughtWhat Europeans Brought

GunsGuns DiseaseDisease A sense of entitlementA sense of entitlement Laws – “The Indian Removal Act”Laws – “The Indian Removal Act”

The NativesThe Natives

Native American tribes were spread all over Native American tribes were spread all over America from Florida to Canada to America from Florida to Canada to OklahomaOklahoma

Although each tribe was unique, they were Although each tribe was unique, they were hunters and gatherers and were often hunters and gatherers and were often nomadicnomadic

While neighboring tribes did have feuds, While neighboring tribes did have feuds, they were never as brutal to one another as they were never as brutal to one another as Europeans were to themEuropeans were to them

The NativesThe Natives

100’s of tribes existed 100’s of tribes existed Native American clothing, homes, currency, Native American clothing, homes, currency,

language, religions were very differentlanguage, religions were very different Europeans considered them “savages” and Europeans considered them “savages” and

considered it their duty to “civilize” these considered it their duty to “civilize” these peoplepeople

These changes were forced and even those These changes were forced and even those who attempted to change were often forced who attempted to change were often forced to leave their homelandto leave their homeland

The NativesThe Natives

Native Americans were granted U.S. Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924citizenship in 1924

Native American TraditionsNative American Traditions

Brilliant dress and Brilliant dress and ceremonial dancesceremonial dances

Entering AdulthoodEntering Adulthood

Snake bitesSnake bites BurningBurning Severe drunkennessSevere drunkenness Individual trips into the wildIndividual trips into the wild Learn complex songs and dancesLearn complex songs and dances

Conrad RichterConrad Richter

1890-19681890-1968 From Pennsylvania – setting for From Pennsylvania – setting for The Light in The Light in

the Forestthe Forest Decided against formal education and Decided against formal education and

worked as a teamster, farm laborer, bank worked as a teamster, farm laborer, bank clerk, coal breaker, machinist, salesman and clerk, coal breaker, machinist, salesman and secretarysecretary

Primarily wrote historical fictionPrimarily wrote historical fiction

Conrad RichterConrad Richter

Richter's interest in early America led him to Richter's interest in early America led him to a central philosophical belief about life: a central philosophical belief about life: “Humans need obstacles and hardships to “Humans need obstacles and hardships to make them physically, emotionally and make them physically, emotionally and intellectually strong”. intellectually strong”.

Themes In Themes In The Light in the ForestThe Light in the ForestLeave room for examples from the novelLeave room for examples from the novel

Indian Freedom Vs. White CivilizationIndian Freedom Vs. White Civilization Victimization of ChildrenVictimization of Children The Struggle for Identity and The Struggle for Identity and

CompanionshipCompanionship Imperfection of both racesImperfection of both races