Patrick Russell LeBeau

Patrick Russell LeBeau is the Director of the American Indian Studies Program and is a Professor of Writing Rhetorics and American Cultures at Michigan State University, as well as author of a b...

Rethinking Michigan Indian History (with CD-ROM)

Patrick Russell LeBeau

Should you use "Indian" or "Native American"? 
Why do we see so many Indian warriors on product labels? 
Why can Michigan Indian tribes operate casinos? 
How can maps be misleading about the role of Indians in Michigan history?

Rethinking Michigan Indian History is a teaching tool that honors the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi and the twelve federally recognized tribes of Michigan by recognizing their role and place in Michigan history--exploring what most people know (or do not know) about them.

Each lesson includes a background narrative, a set of hands-on activities, and provides easily understood and visual resources. Rethinking Michigan Indian History explores large issues of Indian stereotypes, the narrow focus on “great” Indian men, the lack of knowledge of treaties and treaty rights, and the role of maps to mislead or distort thinking about how history unfolds and the complexities of land ownership.

The lesson that explores Indian stereotypes identifies their existence not only in U.S. consumer culture but also in K-12 classrooms. The goal, however, is not to rebuke the consumer for having bought Big Chief Sugar or the teacher for having young students construct one-dimensional canoes, paddles, and Indians out of paper and glue but to use those activities as a demonstration of what most people know about Indians. From this point, a foundation of facts can begin to replace stereotypes in the learning process.

Demonstrating further how popular influences can control knowledge, the lesson on “great” Indian men shows that the popular preference for biographies of famous Indian warriors (Pontiac or Tecumseh) or individual women (Pocahontas or Sacagawea) narrows an understanding of Indians to symbolic representations and issues by ignoring their ongoing culture.

The lesson on Indian treaties and maps explains and visually shows the reason the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi lived in Michigan in 1760 and live in Michigan today in roughly the same places. Treaties are explored in a manner that is understandable to fourth graders through adults, by showing where Indians lived, the treaty boundaries, and tribal land holdings. This lesson also shows Indian cartography concepts and how maps may be made.

What makes Rethinking Michigan Indian History unique and important is its non-confrontational and modular approach that challenges conventional thinking and teaching practices, while at the same time advocates change. The inclusion of graphic resources, handouts, and colorful maps makes this book necessary for the teacher, student, and the general reader who is interested in Michigan Indian history.

PRAISE FOR RETHINKING MICHIGAN INDIAN HISTORY:
“Patrick LeBeau's Rethinking Michigan Indian History is a ground-breaking text. The lessons, historical overviews, topics, definitions, resources, and activities are carefully researched and clearly presented. Teachers, students, and the general public will benefit from this illuminating book. Every Michigan teacher should read it and a copy should be in all Michigan class rooms and libraries.”
—A. LaVonne Brown Ruoff, professor emerita of English, University of Illinois at Chicago, and former interim director, D'Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian History, Newberry Library.

Reviews

"...especially intended for Michigan classroom teachers...advocates change in conventional thinking and teaching practices in a non- confrontational manner...CD- ROM holds printable PDF file versions of the graphic resources, handouts, and colorful maps...Very highly recommended." - Wisconsin Bookwatch

- Midwest Book Review, Wisconsin Bookwatch

"...brilliant, engaging, and almost revolutionary educational tool...My one wish is that Mr. Lebeau had time to do such a wonderful guide for every state."

- Midwest Book Review