1. Native American Journal
A University of Maryland Writing Project

2. Native American Journal Rules
HAVE FUN WITH THIS!
Provide creative details
Be realistic. Think of it as historical fiction.
There are no electronics or aliens that are going to appear in your journal.

3. First Journal Entry
You are a Native American, about the age you are now. You are the eldest child in your family. Your father is the chief of the tribe. Discuss the members of your family. What are their names? What do you like to do for fun? Describe where your tribe lives. How do you help your tribe? What is life like in your tribe?

4. Second Journal Entry:
One day you are going about your business (chores, hunting… you decide), when you spot pale people off in the distance (they may be arriving by boat or hiking… you decide). You stay hidden and observe them. You notice they use sharp shiny sticks to cut and have long firing sticks. Describe these people. Describe what they are doing. What are your thoughts? How are you feeling? Without getting violent, what do you do?

5. Third Journal Entry:
Your curiosity about the pale people grows. You see a young person your age and you are curious about him. Remembering that you cannot understand each other describe your encounter with him/her. As a sign of good intentions, you offer your new friend a gift. What is it? How do you communicate? What do you two do? What do you do after you part ways?

6. Fourth Journal Entry:
You and your friend decide that you will introduce your tribe to the other pale people. Up to now the pale people do not know of your existence.Describe the day both parties meet for the first time. How do people in your tribe and in their group feel on this day? What happens during the first meeting? What are items you could trade with the pale people? What could you ask for in return?

7. Fifth Journal Entry
Some time has past. Your tribe has been getting into a number of disputes with the settlers. Even your friend(settler) has become a little mean. His/her father talked to the chief about giving them the land east of the river. The chief was very displeased and refused. Later that night, there was a huge fire killing more than half of the tribe. You lost many relatives and friends. Unfortunately, your best friend (from tribe) was one of the people killed in the massacre. What are your thoughts? What will your tribe do next?

8. Sixth Journal Entry
Discouraged by the massacre your father, the chief agrees to listen to the terms of the treaty. Your father does not understand a lot of what is being told to him. You have come to understand English because of your interaction with the settlers and do not think the terms of the treaty are fair. What do you tell your father? Are there any other possible solutions besides agreeing to the treaty?

9. Seventh Journal Entry
Against many of your people’s wishes, your father, the chief reluctantly decides to sign the treaty. Unknown to you and the tribe, your father agreed to giving up your homeland to the US Government. In exchange, your people will be given far away from your home. You will be traveling on foot to this new place along with other tribes. How do you feel? What do you expect will happen when you get there? Why do you think your father did this?

10. Final Journal Entry
It is 35 years later. Most of your life has been spent on the reservation. Your adulthood does not resemble your childhood. What are your thoughts about how the US government has treated you and your tribe? What has happened to most of your tribe?