Native American History and The Light in the Forest

1. Native American History andThe Light in the Forest

2. Christopher Columbus • “Discovered” America?

3. What Europeans Were Searching For • Trade Routes • Gold • Religious Freedom

4. What Europeans Brought • Guns • Disease • A sense of entitlement • Laws – “The Indian Removal Act”

5. The Natives • Native American tribes were spread all over America from Florida to Canada to Oklahoma • Although each tribe was unique, they were hunters and gatherers and were often nomadic • While neighboring tribes did have feuds, they were never as brutal to one another as Europeans were to them

6. The Natives • 100’s of tribes existed • Native American clothing, homes, currency, language, religions were very different • Europeans considered them “savages” and considered it their duty to “civilize” these people • These changes were forced and even those who attempted to change were often forced to leave their homeland

7. The Natives • Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924

8. Native American Traditions • Brilliant dress and ceremonial dances

9. Entering Adulthood • Snake bites • Burning • Severe drunkenness • Individual trips into the wild • Learn complex songs and dances

10. Conrad Richter • 1890-1968 • From Pennsylvania – setting for The Light in the Forest • Decided against formal education and worked as a teamster, farm laborer, bank clerk, coal breaker, machinist, salesman and secretary • Primarily wrote historical fiction

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

12. Themes In The Light in the ForestLeave room for examples from the novel • Indian Freedom Vs. White Civilization • Victimization of Children • The Struggle for Identity and Companionship • Imperfection of both races