Jun. 22, 2008 - Indian Lore: the MB Book and the Plan

Kudos to the BSA for not succumbing to political correctness in the Indian Lore requirements.  The requirements show a respect for American Indians, their way of life, and their contribution to our nation.  Without the rhetoric. Seijitsu and Soumie have been working on this, in conjunction with their Archaeology badges.  Yes, in conjunction.  It's a stacked pair. Archaeology requirement 10. Do ONE of the following: Research American Indians who live or once lived in your area. Find out about traditional lifeways, dwellings, clothing styles, arts and crafts, and methods of food gathering, preparation, and storage. Describe what you would expect to find at an archaeological site for these people. fits in nicely with Indian Lore 2. Give the history of one American Indian tribe, group, or nation that lives or has lived near you. Visit it, if possible. Tell about traditional dwellings, way of life, tribal government, religious beliefs, family and clan relationships, language, clothing styles, arts and crafts, food preparation, means of getting around, games, customs in warfare, where members of the group now live, and how they live. Bonus: The dig they're doing is uncovering artifacts from the Indian tribe they're studying. Double Bonus: Our state history requirement is substantially satisfied by what they're learning about the area tribes. Archaeology requirement 9. Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist or instructor, do ONE of the following: Use the methods of experimental archaeology to re-create an item or to practice skills from the past. Write a brief report explaining the experiment and its results. fits nicely with Indian Lore requirement Do TWO of the following. Focus on a specific group or tribe. Make an item of clothing worn by members of the tribe. Make and decorate three items approved by your counselor used by the tribe. Make an authentic model of a dwelling used by any Indian tribe, group, or nation. Visit a museum to see Indian artifacts. Discuss them with your counselor. Identify at least ten artifacts by tribe or nation, their shape, size, and use. Each of the requirements is satisfied on its own merits, but they can both be done at the same time.  I think I prefer the term 'integrating' rather than stacking or double-dipping.  It better captures the spirit of their work. Seijitsu is planning to make a model of a teepee while Soumei hasn't yet made up his mind.  For the place names (another requirement), I'm having them actually label a state map rather than simply list them.  "No more" may apply to their SCOUT requirements, but that doesn't mean it applies to their SCHOOL requirements

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