HOMELAND - For Educators

Broadcast Schedule

Lessons: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Teacher's Guide: Introduction

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Welcome to the HOMELAND lesson plans. These lessons will allow students to examine the complex issues related to the treatment of indigenous peoples by those in a nation's dominant culture. Students will explore their own personal attitudes and historical documents in an attempt to reveal the "truth" about cultures in conflict. Speeches by government leaders in different countries will allow students to compare official positions among "white-ruled" nations and propose ways to make reparations.

These lessons are directed toward grades 6 through 12, for use in the following subject areas: history, social studies, multicultural studies, U.S. government, world government and language arts.

LESSON PLANS

LESSON ONE: Healing
A critical examination of the recorded history of the United States in its relationship with the Sioux Nation. For grades 6-12.

LESSON TWO: Addressing Housing Needs
A look at how to address the needs of a distressed society through an exploration of housing and homelessness. For grades 8-12.

LESSON THREE: Getting at the Truth

In order to answer the question of who should take responsibility for history, student will look at South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and debate the pros and cons of such an approach for the United States. For grades 9-12.

LESSON FOUR: Saying You're Sorry

Looking at Australia's Sorry Day, students will discuss apologies, exploring what they mean and examining how the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has handled Native Americans throughout history. For grades 6-12.

About the film:
A legacy of broken treaties, cultural genocide and government neglect has created harsh realities on American Indian reservations nationwide. Filmed over the course of three years, the documentary HOMELAND follows four remarkable families on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota. HOMELAND presents an inside perspective on Lakota culture as the families strive to create a better future for themselves and especially for their children, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

About the author:
Neale McGoldrick chairs the history department at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York. A teacher for 33 years, she has published a book on the history of woman suffrage in New Jersey (co-authored by Margaret Crocco) and contributed to a variety of journals. She spent summer 2000 in South Africa where she had the opportunity to observe the post Apartheid world first-hand and teach in two schools.