One of my favorite lessons in the Montana: A History of Our Home curriculum is "Introduction to the Early Contact Period," Part 2 of Unit 2, "Montana's First People" (find it beginning on page 8 of this document.) I love this lesson so much that we also feature it in the Montana's First Peoples hands-on history footlocker under the title "Who Lived in Montana in 1804?".
The lesson begins with a narrated slide show, “Introduction to the Early Contact Period,” which provides background information about some of the resources used by Plateau and Plains tribes and seasonal rounds.
The seasonal round describes how bands in the area that is now known as Montana moved from place to place to gather natural resources. Each band followed its own seasonal round—moving according to the natural resources available in different areas during different times of the year. Seasonal movements were not random. They were based on an expert knowledge of climate, animal behavior, and plant growth. Since tribes relied on the same resources (plants, animals, and specific types of stones) year after year, their patterns of travel were similar year to year.
After learning this basic information, students are divided into 9 groups. Each group is assigned a tribe, given some information about that tribe and a transparency, which shows that tribe’s homeland and traditional use areas. Students circulate around the classroom, sharing their information with one another and comparing their maps. The lesson ends with a classroom discussion.
The lesson requires teachers to print the maps out on transparency paper, which I've been told is difficult for some educators. To remove this barrier, we have created Early Contact Period Tribal Homelands Map Sets. These can be purchased for $20 through the Montana Historical Museum Store by emailing TheGiftShop@mt.gov or by calling 406-444-2890.
P.S. Don't forget to register for our upcoming PD, Simulation and Role Plays, which will be held February 17 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
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