The Daily Klutz - A lesson on Indigenous Peoples

We spent the evening watching a few videos and listening to some stories being read.  The reality is that it is super important to Justin and I that Audrey understands American history as it actually was, not as it has been told.  We also recognize that any form of compassion, empathy or kindness only expands when we actively work to understand or at the very least recognize  cultures outside of our own. 

Here are some of the resources that we used:

• We began with this short video from Clarendon Learning. I especially like how they describe the correct term to use for Native and Indigenous people. 
• Next, I showed her this video which is incredibly important for all kids to watch.  Teen Vogue has done an amazing job over the years in supplying young women especially with resources and articles that break through harmful narratives.
• I wasn't sure I was going to show this video from Uncivil History to her, but I gauged her attention and capacity in the moment and she was definitely ready to handle it.  She was even able to explain to me afterwards what she saw and what happened stating that "The settlers told the Native Americans to either be like them or get out and they hurt them". Again, not an easy truth to share with your five year old, but important. 
• Next we listed to the stories of two books: The Star People and Fry Bread  I have posted both of these links to be purchased from birchbarkbooks.com an indigenous owned book store in Minneapolis. 

This is only a beginning, but an important one at that.  I believe that teaching kindness, compassion and empathy to our kids can't just be words, but requires both action and inquiry.  As Klutz says in the letter "A conscious mind is a kind mind".  In other words, the more we ourselves become aware, the more accessible these traits within us become. Aka our Kindness Muscle!