95 pages 3 hours read

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Jean Mendoza, Debbie Reese

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People

Nonfiction | Book | YA | Published in 2019

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Essay Topics

1.

Why does Dunbar-Ortiz prioritize the term “Indigenous Peoples” over “American Indians” or “Native Americans”? How does she demonstrate the importance of word choice for names and events? Use an example from the book.

2.

Compare and contrast the development of civilizations in the Western Hemisphere and in Europe before they met. What are their differences when it comes to treaties, warfare, and land?

3.

Choose one of the Indigenous nations that Dunbar-Ortiz covers and explain their experiences with European settlers. What factors influenced their decisions regarding warfare and territory? How are their descendants addressing past problems today?