Skip Navigation

American Indian Heritage Resources

UEN American Indian Film Fest 2018
This month UEN is partnering with higher education and community partners to bring films produced by and about American Indians and Alaskan Natives to audiences across Utah. We're pleased to share these informative films of tribal nations and community beliefs, culture, and history with Utah learners of all ages. Film screenings are FREE and in-person. Find more indigenous programming throughout the month on UEN-TV and now 24 hours a day and 7 days a week on our new channel, FNX!.  https://www.uen.org/tv/

Metal Road
For decades, thousands of Navajos worked the railroads, maintaining the trans-continental network. Metal Road explores the dynamics of livelihood, family and the railroads through the lens of a Navajo trackman. The film follows three Navajo railroaders from the 9001 Heavy Steel Gang as they leave their homeland to replace aging railroad tracks from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean under extreme weather conditions.
UEN-TV Saturday Nov. 3 8:30 PM
*Visit www.uen.org/transcontinentalrailroad/ for more about the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad.

FREE Screenings:
November 8 – Utah State University, Blanding
November 9 – Urban Indian Center, Salt Lake City
November 20 – Utah Valley University, Orem
November 27 – Dixie State University, St. George

Rumble
This feature documentary, about the role of Native Americans in popular music history, tells the story of a profound, essential, and, until now, missing chapter in the history of American music: the Indigenous influence. Featuring music icons Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Ed Davis, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson, Randy Castillo, and others, Rumble will show how these talented Native musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives.
Coming to KUED 2019

FREE Screenings:
November 8 – Utah State University, Blanding
November 9 – Urban Indian Center, Salt Lake City
November 15 – Weber State University
November 27 – Dixie State University, St. George

Skindigenous
Skindigenous is a 13-part documentary series exploring Indigenous tattooing traditions around the world. Each episode dives into a unique indigenous culture to discover the tools and techniques,, the symbols and traditions that shape their tattooing art. In this series, the art of tattoo becomes a lens for exploring some of the planet’s oldest cultures and their unique perspective on life, identity, and the natural world.
UEN-TV Saturdays at 7:30 PM Beginning Nov. 3 2018

FREE Screenings:
November 8 – Utah State University, Blanding
November 9 – Urban Indian Center, Salt Lake City
November 20 – Utah Valley University, Orem
November 27 – Dixie State University, St. George

Reel Injun
Reel Injun takes viewers through a chronological treatment of First Nations peoples in film and television. This feature length documentary references several well known films and features interviews with Native filmmakers, critics, and community leaders including Chris Eyre, a prolific director and John Trudell, a leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM). Through encounters with community leaders and critics, the film takes viewers on an imaginative journey through the shifting stereotypes of Native Americans in Hollywood.
Study Guide

FREE Screening:
November 13 – Utah Valley University, Orem

100 Years: One Woman’s Fight for Justice
"100 Years" is the David vs. Goliath story of Elouise Cobell, a petite, Native American Warrior who filed the largest class action lawsuit ever filed against the United States Government and WON a $3.4 billion settlement for 300,000 Native Americans whose mineral-rich lands were mismanaged by the Department of the Interior.
Curriculum
As seen on the KUED 7 World Channel Series America Reframed

FREE Screening:
November 27 – Utah Valley University, Orem

UEN-TV American Indian Heritage Month Highlights

FNX Channel

KUED's Native American Heritage Programs

Salt Lake City Council votes to have Indigenous Peoples' Day on Columbus Day. UEN gathered these American Indian resources to help you recognize the accomplishments of the original inhabitants, explorers and settlers of the U.S.

General InformationTeacher ResourcesLesson PlansUtah Tribes
Videos in eMediaWeb sites for Students

General Information

American Indian Heritage Month ProclamationAmerican Indian Heritage Month Proclamation
View 2016 Presidential Proclamation press release from the White House.
U.S. Dept. of the Interior Indian AffairsU.S. Dept. of the Interior Indian Affairs
Indian Affairs provides services to approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. There are 564 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Natives in the United States.
National Museum of the American IndianNational Museum of the American Indian
The Museum is the first national museum dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of Native Americans. Explore the Classroom Lessons, the Index of Resources and the Collections Search.
Library of Congress: Edward S. Curtis's the North American IndianLibrary of Congress: Edward S. Curtis's the North American Indian
The Library of Congress presents over 2,000 prints from the work of photographer, Edward S. Curtis, who recorded Native American dress, ceremonies, life, and culture.
American Indian TribesAmerican Indian Tribes
A list of federally-recognized tribes.
Library of Congress: American Indian HistoryLibrary of Congress: American Indian History
Check out some of the American Indian History resources in the Library of Congress.
Utah Division of Indian AffairsUtah Division of Indian Affairs
The Utah Division of Indian Affairs support Utah's American Indian tribes. Don't miss the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Circle of StoriesCircle of Stories
Circle of Stories uses documentary film, photography, artwork and music to honor and explore Native American storytelling.
Trail Tribes: Traditional and Contemporary Native CultureTrail Tribes: Traditional and Contemporary Native Culture
History with a tribal perspective, along trails followed by Lewis & Clark.
American Indian Medal of Honor RecipientsAmerican Indian Medal of Honor Recipients
Throughout history, American Indians have been among those soldiers to be distinguished by receiving the United States' highest military honor: the Medal of Honor.
Our Mother TonguesOur Mother Tongues
Explore Native American language programs from Alaska to North Carolina working to save their heritage languages.
Our Mother TonguesFNX - First Nations Experience
Native American stories and content to create a diverse and entertaining channel across all media platforms 24/7.
American Indian Library Association
An affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), the American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
National Congress of American Indians
The National Congress of American Indians, founded in 1944, is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments and communities
My Tribal Area
My Tribal Area gives you quick and easy access to selected statistics from the American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing statistics every year for the nation's communities
Watch: Metal Road
For decades, thousands of Navajos worked the railroads, maintaining the trans-continental network. Metal Road explores the dynamics of livelihood, family, and the railroads through the lens of a Navajo trackman. Saturday, November 18 at 8:00 p.m. UEN-TV and engage with others using the Viewer Discussion Guide from Vision Maker Media.
Back to Top

Teacher Resources

Smithsonian Institution: American Indian History and Culture American Indian History and Culture
Smithsonian Institution's extensive collection of resources related to Native American heritage and culture.
Native American StoriesNative American Stories
Reading Rocket's list of Native American Indian stories.
Wisdom of the EldersWisdom of the Elders
Radio series featuring elders, historians, storytellers, artists, and leaders from thirteen American Indian Nations along the Lewis and Clark trail.
Teaching Young Children about Native AmericansTeaching Young Children about Native Americans
This online article discusses the prevalence of stereotypes and classroom strategies for teaching about cultural diversity among Native Americans.
Native American Leather and ClothesNative American Leather and Clothes
Detailed images of various tribes' clothing and accessories.
Native American Leather and ClothesAmerican Indians in Children's Literature
Debbie Reese's blog has lists of books for various age groups that accurately portray American Indians. (Right column under the IF YOU'RE STARTING A LIBRARY... section.)
National Native American Heritage Month
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.
Indian Country Today – 5 Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
To mark November being Native American Heritage Month, here are some suggestions for how to celebrate from Indian Country Today newspaper.
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Native American Heritage Month Resources developed by EDSITEment or supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, we have highlighted new and classic lessons; upcoming professional development opportunities for teachers; documentary films available to stream; podcasts; interactive games; vetted websites; and archives of primary sources.
New Books in Native American Studies
The New Books Network is a consortium of podcasts dedicated to raising the level of public discourse by introducing serious authors to serious audiences.
The Utah State Board of Education Indian Education
The Utah State Board of Education’s (USBE) American Indian website serves as a guideline to facilitate and support in building a framework for program awareness and success. It will guide investigators based on current research, state, and federal requirements the information necessary that address the American Indian/Alaskan Natives in Utah.
Back to Top

Lesson Plans

Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month: NEA Lesson Plans Grades K-5
Explore Native American Culture with the Following Lessons, Activities, and Resources
Native American Cultures Across the U.S.Native American Cultures Across the U.S.
Grades K-2
This lesson discusses the differences between five Native American tribes within the U.S. Students learn about customs and traditions and the regions where the tribes live.
Explore Pueblo Pots
Grades K-4
In this hands-on activity, students will learn the meaning of imagery on two Pueblo pots by examining images and reading short excerpts from Native American folklore.
Native Americans TodayNative Americans Today
Grades 3-5
This lesson challenges students' views of Native Americans as a vanished people by asking them to compare their prior knowledge with information they gather while reading about contemporary Native Americans.
Not "Indians," Many Tribes: Native American DiversityNot "Indians," Many Tribes: Native American Diversity
Grades 3-5
In this unit of five lessons, students heighten their awareness of Native American diversity as they learn about three vastly different Native groups in a game-like activity using archival documents.
Pourquoi Stories: Creating Tales to Tell WhyPourquoi Stories: Creating Tales to Tell Why
Grades 3-5
Pourquoi tales are narratives developed by various cultures around the world to explain natural phenomena. Students study three tales and learn about their cultures of origin, then work cooperatively to write and present an original pourquoi tale.
Ute Indians: Past and PresentUte Indians: Past and Present
4th Grade
Students will become familiar with the Ute Indians both past and present.
The Fremont PeopleThe Fremont People
4th Grade
After learning about the Fremont people, students will make their own Fremont-Style pottery.
Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month: NEA Lesson Plans Grades 6-8
Explore Native American Culture with the Following Lessons, Activities, and Resources
Myth and Truth: The "First Thanksgiving"Myth and Truth: The "First Thanksgiving"
Grades 6-8
By exploring myths surrounding the Wampanoag, the pilgrims, and the "First Thanksgiving," this lesson asks students to think critically about commonly believed myths regarding the Wampanoag Indians in colonial America.
Circle of Stories Lesson PlansCircle of Stories Lesson Plans
Grades 6-12
Students will examine the complex and rich oral tradition of Native American storytelling, create their own stories to share, explore indigenous and Native American cultures and the issues which face them today.
Native American Cultures Across the U.S.How the Miss Navajo Competition Reflects the Ingenuity and Culture of the Navajo People
7th Grade
The student will be able to understand how the skills necessary to win the Miss Navajo competition reflect the ingenuity and culture of the Navajo people.
Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month: NEA Lesson Plans Grades 9-12
Explore Native American Culture with the Following Lessons, Activities, and Resources
Making Connections to Myth and Folktale: The Many Ways to Rainy MountainMaking Connections to Myth and Folktale: The Many Ways to Rainy Mountain
Grades 9-12
Following the model of N. Scott Momaday's The Way To Rainy Mountain, students write three-voice narratives based on Kiowa folktales, an interview with an Elder, and personal connections to theme.
Back to Top

Utah Tribes

General Information

Native Americans in UtahNative Americans in Utah
An article from the Utah History Encyclopedia about Native Americans in Utah.
Sacred Images: A Vision of Native American Rock ArtSacred Images: A Vision of Native American Rock Art
This K-12 curriculum was developed to teach students about the culture and customs of the earliest inhabitants of Utah.
Utah We Shall RemainUtah We Shall Remain
In conjunction with the PBS series, KUED-Channel 7 produced a five-part companion series on Utah's five tribes.

Goshutes

Goshute IndiansGoshute Indians
An article from the Utah History Encyclopedia about the Goshute tribe.
Skully Valley GoshutesSkull Valley Goshutes
Scroll down the page to read about the Skull Valley Goshutes.
Goshute Tales:

Navajo

The Navajo NationThe Navajo Nation
Information from the Indian Health Services about the Navajo Nation.
Navajo NationNavajo Nation
The Official site of the Navajo Nation which includes historical information.
Navajo IndiansNavajo Indians
An article from the Utah History Encyclopedia about the Navajo Indians.
Native Words, Native WarriorsNative Words, Native Warriors
The National Museum of the American Indian honors American Indian Code Talkers. This is a companion website to the traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibition, Native Words, Native Warriors.
Memorandum Regarding the Enlistment of Navajo IndiansMemo Regarding the Enlistment of Navajos
This site gives more detail on the U.S. Marine Corps Navajo Code Talker program, highlighting Maj. Gen. Clayton B. Vogel's March 26, 1942, memo recommending the recruitment of Navajo men for the project.

Paiute

Paiute IndiansPaiute Indians
An article from the Utah History Encyclopedia about the Paiute tribe.
Utah's Paiute Indians During the DepressionUtah's Paiute Indians During the Depression
An article from the History Blazer about life as a Paiute during the Great Depression.

Shoshone

Shoshone Indians - Northwestern BandsShoshone Indians - Northwestern Bands
An article from the Utah History Encyclopedia about the Shoshone Indians.

Ute

Ute Indians, NorthernUte Indians, Northern
An article from the Utah History Encyclopedia about the Northern Ute Indians.
Ute Indians, SouthernUte Indians, Southern
An article from the Utah History Encyclopedia about the Southern Ute Indians.
Ute Indians: Past and PresentUte Indians: Past and Present
4th Grade
Students will become familiar with the Ute Indians both past and present.
Back to Top

Videos in eMedia

Utah educators and students can download the following videos from UEN's eMedia

Geronimo and the Apache Resistance
Direct descendants of the legendary Native American leader Geronimo aid in telling the story of the Apache medicine man, who, along with his followers, resisted white settlement.
The Journey of Sacagawea
This program explores the life of Sacagawea from the rich oral history of the Augadika Shoshoni, Mandan Hidatsa and the Nez Perce Native American tribes.
Listening to Our Ancestors
Listen to the stories and traditions of Native peoples along the North Pacific Coast. Visit web page.
The Long Walk
Eight thousand Navajo men, women and children were marched at gunpoint through the scorched desert of the American Southwest to a barren reservation along the Texas border.
Native American Hide Tanning
Native American craftswomen illustrate various steps of hide tanning: hair removal, hide washing and then stretching the hide as it dries.
A History of American Indian Achievement Reading Rainbow: The Gift of the Sacred Dog
Paul Goble's Native American legend about a boy who brought the gift of horses to his people and the significance of the horse to the Plains Indian.
Reading Rainbow: Giving ThanksReading Rainbow: Giving Thanks
This book is based on the Iroquois Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation for Mother Earth and all her inhabitants
Secrets of the Lost CanyonSecrets of the Lost Canyon
Learn about Range Creek Canyon, an ancient Fremont Indian site in a remote corner of Utah, from this video produced by KUED.
Sharing Perspectives at the National Museum of the American Indian
An introduction to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
Surviving ColumbusSurviving Columbus
This video chronicles the Pueblo Indians' 450 years of contact with Europeans and their long, determined struggle to preserve their culture, land and religion.
Ute BeadworkUte Beadwork
Various Northern Ute beaders demonstrate the craft of beadwork and its cultural significance.
Walking in Two Worlds Walking in Two Worlds
This KUED production explores the complexities of Native American education - both the flaws and possibilities for change. Visit web site.
We Shall RemainWe Shall Remain
This PBS American Experience series presents a multifaceted look at Native ingenuity and perseverance over the course of more than three centuries. Visit web site.
Back to Top

Web sites for Students

Yesterday and TodayYesterday and Today
Compare modern tools with ancient ones.
Stories from the PastStories from the Past
Tell a story with rock art.
Wha Can You Make From a Buffalo?What Can You Make From a Buffalo?
The northern Plains Indians used every part of the buffalo. In this interactive matching game, students will match objects made by Native Americans from the buffalo.
Tracking the Buffalo: You Be the HistorianTracking the Buffalo: You Be The Historian
In this online interactive, students will learn about the culture of the Plains Indians by determining the meaning of stories told on a buffalo hide painting and compare their interpretations to to that of a Smithsonian historian.
Back to Top