History Group Gatherings--Indians

A Study of Indians West of the Mississippi River

Maintain an enthusiasm for learning throughout your life. Find joy in continuing to learn about yourself, other people, and the world around you. Choose to actively participate in the learning opportunities available to you.   

This is counsel given to youth as found in the "For the Strength of Youth" (older version).  We used this as our gospel connection as the importance of learning about the Indians.

We spent the day learning traditions, customs and folktales from the Navajo (southwest),        Sioux (plains) and Tlingit (northwest) tribes.

We read different folktale by McDermitt and Paul Golbe and then made a craft.  These girls are showing off their Navajo inspired belts of sliver and turquoise.

While making raven masks I read to them a story of how the 'trickster raven' brought light (the sun) to the people of the northwest.

Showing off their raven masks!

Delaney is showing her "winter count" only the wind wasn't being very helpful.  The plains Indians would record their history on leather by drawing symbols in a circular fashion--starting in the middle and going outward.

We also read excerpts from Pres. Spencer W. Kimball in an older Institute manual about the importance the Lamanities would have in the future in building temples in Missouri.  Maybe someday, our future missionaries will be called to share the gospel with the Native Americans.