Module 4

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph. The Arrow over the Door. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998.

B. PLOT SUMMARY

The setting is near Saratoga, New York in 1777, this short historical novel follows the parallel stories of two young boys, one a Quaker farm-boy, the other an Abenaki scout. The story is told through the eyes of Samuel Russell a 14 year old Quaker that is called a coward because his family does not believe in fighting. Stands Straight is the Abenaki scout that is left an orphan after his mother and younger brother are murdered by the American colonists. When the armed Indians, accompanied by two French allies, approach a large log structure filled with settlers, they do not know what to expect. Inside an assembly of Friends prepares to hold a regional meeting with the noted Quaker leader Robert Nisbet. As the Quakers wait in their customary silent worship, seeking inspiration from the "light within," the Indians approach the structure. Noting that the door has been left open and the settlers are unarmed, they enter quietly. Surprised to be welcomed with the usual handshake of the Friends, the scouting party sits down among the congregation quietly and seems to join in the silent worship. Later they share a simple meal of bread and cheese with the Friends. They leave an arrow shaft, feathered but with the point removed, over the door as a sign of peace, as they quietly exit.

Based upon an actual event, known as the Easton Meeting, The Arrow Over the Door is manages to clearly distinguish the differences in the Abenaki and the Euro-American settlers.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

Joseph Bruchac says in Native American cultures, which Bruchac honors through his storytelling, stories always have lessons. The best ones, he thinks, tell people how they should act toward the earth and toward each other. In The Arrow over the Door Bruchac incorporates a historic event to educate us about how Indians did not go around fighting and scalping everyone that got in the way, they also believed in living in a peaceful manner just like the Quakers. He uses nature, language and art to teach us about the Abenaki Indians.

In the novel art work is done in black and white to enhance the physical descriptions given of the characters. The Indians are dressed in moccasins; their clothing is made out of skins. The physical features include long dark hair and slender bodies. Nature plays and important role in the Indian culture, the illustrations show the river and trees in just about every picture.

Physical descriptions are given of the Indian characters allowing the reader to visualize that not all Indians looks the same. Stand Straight, an Abenaki Indian “his long black hair, the brown color of his skin and the Algonquin features of his handsome face revealed the fact that he was an Indian.” (p. 11) Wolf Mark was shorter and broader than he, but his faced showed the age and experience that Stands Straight had yet to gain. There was a crooked scar across his older cousin’s temple where he had been grazed by a Maguak arrow and the look in his eye wa1s that of a man who has been in battle. (p. 14)
“The Indian, who stood there, filling the doorway, was the tallest man Samuel had ever seen. The two heron feathers that rose from the cap on head brushed the roof of the Meetinghouse.” (p. 69)

Throughout the novel the importance of the nature is evident.
“You can use this eye stone to see into the heart of things.” (p. 12)
“They knew how to ride through the currents of its rapids, there where the little underwater people lived. If an enemy tried to go through those rapids, the little underwater people would grab his canoe and tip it over. But if a friend came, the little underwater people would show him the way through.” (p.13)

The Indian culture portrays the Wind, Sun and the land as part of their religion; in the Arrow over the door it incorporates the aspect of religion into the story. “Stands Straight knew that Sees-the Wind was watching him. He could tell that his uncle was pleased that he was not forgetting to pray to the Creator and give thanks to Elder Brother Sun. After all, it was known that Elder Brother Sun liked the sight of war. And it was the path of war, Elder Brother’s Path that they were now walking.” (p. 29) “Ktsi Nwaskw,” he said, in a voice so soft that only the wind could hear it, “Great Mystery, you have kept us from harm. For that I give you thanks. All I ask is that you help us see the right road to follow. Ktsi wliwini, great thanks.” Then he lowered his arms.” (p. 34) “They were listening to hear the voice of Ktsi Nwaskw, the Creator, that voice which is hidden in each person’s heart.” (p. 72) “I have asked our Elder Brother if it is really war that he wants for us,” he said. “But so far the Sun has not answered.” (p. 34)

The arrow over the door is a symbol of Peace, which is as important to the Indians as it is to the Quakers. “This arrow, said Sees-the Wind as Robert Nisbet translated his words into English, “is our mark. It will not protect you from your own people. But those of my people, the Abenaki, who see this, will do you no harm. They will know you are the people of peace.” (p. 77)

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

(School Library Journal)
For young Samuel Russell, the summer of 1777 is a time of fear. The British Army is approaching, and the Indians in the area seem ready to attack. To Stands Straight, a young Abenaki Indian scouting for King George, Americans are dangerous enemies who threaten his family and home. When Stands Straight's party enters the Quaker Meetinghouse where Samuel worships, the two boys share an encounter that neither will ever forget. Told in alternating viewpoints, The Arrow over the Door is based on a true story.

Booklist
Fourteen-year-old Samuel Russell hates being called a coward because he is a Quaker, and he vows to defend his family if Loyalists or Indians try to harm them. Stands Straight, an Abenaki boy whose mother and brother were murdered by white men, has joined his uncle's scouting party, though he questions why Indians should fight in the white man's war. In alternating narratives, the two boys tell this quietly compelling story, which is based on an actual incident that took place in 1777, just before the Battle of Saratoga. As Samuel's family sits in the meeting with the rest of the Quaker congregation, the Indian scouting party to which Stands Straight belongs surrounds the cabin. Stands Straight follows his uncle Sees-the-Wind inside, and after being assured that there are no weapons in the cabin, the Abenakis leave their bows and arrows outside and sit with the Quakers in silence. At the end of the meeting, the Quakers and the Indians share the handshake of peace, and Sees-the-Wind places an arrow over the cabin's door to show the Abenakis that the Quakers are people of peace. Simple black-and-white drawings reflect the dignified tone of the story, which explores the complexities of the Indian-white relationship, focusing on two lesser-known groups who were involved in the conflict. An author's note provides thorough historical background about the incident, as well as a brief history of the Quakers and the Abenakis.

E. CONNECTIONS
http://www.bigorrin.org/abenaki_kids.htm
Native American Facts For Kids was written for young people in search of Abenaki information for school or home-schooling reports.


Pose the questions:
What do individuals do to find peace?
What do communities do to create peace?
What are some symbols for peace?

As a class, visit the following websites that offer differing perspectives on peace:

The Peace Corps
Cranes for Peace
Pieces for Peace
Article 1 of the UNESCO "Declaration of Principles on Tolerance"
World Peace Society

After viewing the websites, ask students to discuss how peace is defined and represented in varied ways.




A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ross, Gayle. How Turtle's Back Was Cracked: A Traditional Cherokee Tale. Illus. Murv Jacobs. Dial Books for Young Readers, 1995.

B. PLOT SUMMARY

Long ago, turtle's shell was smooth. The turtle and the possum were good friends and they worked together to eat persimmons. Possum would climb a persimmon tree and swing the branches and aim it towards turtle’s mouth and he would eat some also. One day a coyote came by and saw the two and decided to trick the turtle, when Possum would swing the branches and the persimmons toward turtle, coyote would jump up and eat it before turtle could get it. Possum waited for coyote to open his mouth and threw a persimmon into his mouth with such force that it got stuck in his throat and died. Turtle saw the coyote on the ground and he convinced himself that he had killed he greedy wolf. He cuts off wolfs ears and makes spoons out of them. He starts visiting and using his spoons to eat, while bragging about being a great hunter. The wolfs get mad and decide to teach him a lesson, turtle outsmarts them and they throw him down a river bank and cracked his back. Turtle uses his knowledge of healing to put sew his back together again, but he no longer has a smooth back

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

Gayle Ross wrote How Turtle’s Back was Cracked after telling the story to audiences of many ages. The tale has been around for many years, in this version the illustrator Murv Jacobs does an outstanding job in integrating the Indian attire even though his characters are animals. The turtle has a beaded skin tied around his waist; he also has strands of beads on his ankles and wrists. The possum has a necklace, a breechcloth and a pouch made out of animal skins. The colors that are used in the illustrations are vibrant and his curlicue sky adds a sense of mystery to the story.

The Indian worshiped the sun as one of their gods; the sun is given human features in the illustrations implying that he is a human being. The sun is painted looking down on the earth and its people as if taking care that everything is working well.

The wigwams are also part of the setting with the Indian women cooking on an open fire with a pot.

The Indian man has dark brown skin and dark hair worn in a Mohawk. He is holding a spear that Indians used for hunting. The Indian women have long dark hair and dark brown skin, their clothing consists of dresses made out of animal skins adorned with beaded belts and they wear moccasins.

Indian customs are weaved into the tale, “In the old days it was another custom to offer a visitor food to eat the very first thing. And there was a special dish that was usually kept cooking at all times, just to offer a guest.” (p.10)
“Now, it a custom for a hunter to take what is called a tribute from an animal he has killed. In this way he captures a piece of the animal’s spirit. (p. 9)

Indians used plants to heal the sick, in this tale turtle uses his knowledge of healing to take care of his back. “Now, turtle wasn’t a mighty hunter, but he was a good doctor. He knew many conjuring secrets. He knew the healing plants and how to prepare them.” (p. 24)

On page 24 turtle sings in the native language “Gu`daye`wu, Gu`daye`wu (GUNH-dah-YAY-wunh), I have sewn myself together. I have sewn myself together.”

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist
From Booklist, Mar. 1995, Copyright © American Library Association.
Gathering persimmons together, friends Possum and Turtle are joined by a thieving wolf that chokes to death on their fruit. Turtle, foolishly believing that he has killed the wolf, shows off the deed by making wolf-ear spoons and eating with them publicly. When the other wolves catch Turtle, they vow to kill him by roasting, boiling, or drowning him. He responds with, "Oh, no, not the river! Anything but the river." When they throw him in, he lands upside down on a rock, cracking his shell. He survives, but that's why the Turtle has cracks on his back today. Despite its echoes of the more familiar Brer Rabbit story ("born and bred in the briar patch"), this Cherokee pourquoi tale has a flavor all its own. Ross notes that she remembers the tale from her childhood, found a written source, and developed it through storytelling to its present form. Jacob's distinctive acrylic paintings illustrate the story's dramatic moments in scenes rich in colors and patterns.

School Library Journal

A moral about behavior is linked to this Cherokee pourquoi tale. When Turtle's friend Possum kills a greedy wolf, Turtle not only takes all the credit for the deed, but boasts and flaunts his trophies. The wolves take revenge on him, but they are stupid and quarrelsome, and Turtle tricks them into throwing him into the river instead of a fire. Although he escapes death, he hits a rock and his shell is cracked into pieces. He cleverly sews himself back together, but since then all turtle shells show the joins. Jacob's naive paintings depict animals in Cherokee dress. Stylized sun and moon faces look out of a pointillist sky, and there is an autumnal hue to the landscape. Details like Turtle's wolf-ear spoons and the male body ornaments and fringed belts add authenticity. Patterned borders also use traditional design motifs. The whole has neither the slickness of Paul Goble's artwork nor the softness of Jeffers's; the crowded, somewhat clumsy ensemble evokes a time before ``real'' time began, a world without air or space, which is still not quite finished.


E. CONNECTIONS

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=378#LESSON4

Traditions and Language of the Cherokee

Tell the students that they will now learn about the Cherokee language. Explain that the Cherokee people have their own unique alphabet made up of 85 symbols. Each symbol stands for a syllable, which is why this type of alphabet is called a syllabary. Go to Cherokee Syllabary, available through the EDSITEment-reviewed resource NativeWeb.

Make Bingo boards with words the students have learned from the Cherokee language. Then call out definitions, such as "It means butterfly in Cherokee." Students who have that word mark it with a plastic disk or other convenient marker. The first to mark all the words in a row - up and down, across, or on a diagonal - wins the game.



A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2000. JINGLE DANCER. Ill. by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688162428

B. PLOT SUMMARY

Jenna is a typical young girl that is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and is also of Ojibway descent. She lives in Oklahoma in a traditional American home, enjoys the resources like television and DVDs and also participates in traditional Indian rituals. She is able to embrace both cultures to bring the beautiful tradition of the Jingle Dancer to live. Jenna wants to participate in the powwow by dancing the Jingle Dance but she does not have jingles to make her dress sing. She involves family and community members by asking them to let her borrow a row of jingles from their own dresses to sew them on her dress. Her grandmother helps her sew the jingles and she dances for each of the four women that helped her make her reach her goal of dancing the jingle dance. The story breaks down stereotypes usually associated with American Indians.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

Cynthia Leitich Smith is a mixed blood member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation; she incorporates Native characters, storytelling, food, dance, music and also emphasizes the importance of women in the Indian culture in her story Jingle Dancer.

The emphasis of family and community members helping each other is evident throughout the story, when Jenna goes to different members and they help her acquire the jingles that she needs for her dress. When the four different women share the jingles from their own dresses so that Jenna can make her own they are allowing the tradition of the Jingle Dance to continue to the next generation. The voice of each one of the four women that gave her jingles for her dress will be heard when Jenna dances at the powwow.

The food that is mentioned in the story is unique to the Indian culture. “Jenna daydreamed at the kitchen table, tasting honey on fry bread.” (p.2), “At powwow, I’ll be busy selling fry bread and Indian tacos.” (p.11), the book also includes a glossary that defines fry bread and Indian taco.
Fry bread: a deep-fried bread often topped with honey or jam.
Indian taco: a taco with fry bread for a base. Topping may include chicken, turkey, duck, hamburger, elk or venison along with grated cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, chilies, salsa and sour cream.

Storytelling has been a long standing tradition tied to the Indian culture, in Jingle Dancer the older generation share stories with the younger generation keeping the stories alive. “Once again, Great-aunt Sis told Jenna a Muscogee Creek story about Bat. Although other animals had said he was too small to make a difference, Bat won a ball game by fling high and catching a ball in his teeth.” (p. 9) Stories were used to teach morals. In the illustrations it also shows Jenna watching a video of her grandmother dancing on a television, allowing the reader to break the stereotype that is often attached to Indians that they sit around a campfire telling stories and they use modern technology like everyone else.

Jingle Dancer portrays women as professionals; Cousin Elizabeth is a lawyer that is busy with an important case. The illustration of Cousin Elizabeth is that of a confident woman dressed in a suit, carrying a briefcase and a law review newspaper.
The Powwow is described in the glossary as “a Native American social and spiritual event that includes dancing, drumming, singing, eating, and sometimes camping, trading, storytelling, rodeos, or film and art shows to celebrate and preserve traditions. Some are ceremonial and private in nature, while others are open to the public. Powwows are held at various time of the year, although most take place in summer.” Throughout the story the powwow is mentioned along with the sounds of the jingles and the drums. “Tink, tink, tink, tink, sang cone-shaped jingles sewn to Grandma Wolfe’s dress.” (p.1),
“her heart beating to the brum, brum, brum, brum, brum of the powwow drum. (p.1).

The illustrations of all the characters are warm, friendly and inviting. They give the reader a sense of comfort and familiarity that is common in cultures that are family oriented such as the Indian culture. The watercolors used are soft and flowing that adds to the feeling of friendliness.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publisher's Weekly: "Their easy integration of Native and standard furnishings and clothing gracefully complement Smith's heartening portrait..."

School Library Journal: "This picture book will not only satisfy a need for materials on Native American customs, but will also be a welcome addition to stories about traditions passed down by the women of a culture."

E. CONNECTIONS
Dancing and Powwows: Music, Video, Teaching Guides, Web Sites
http://www.indianhouse.com/
Indian House Records: "Located in Taos, New Mexico, USA, Indian House is a 30-year old record company specializing in traditional American Indian music. Featured on our recordings are some of the most highly-respected Indian musicians in the United States and Canada." Indian House carries powwow, specifically jingle dance songs, as well as tapes of Creek songs and more.

http://www.tpt.org/powwow/womjingle.html
Jingle Dancing: by TPT (related to production of Wacipi powwow documentary). Photo with one of the traditional stories and discussion of dance style.