Current Issues & the First Amendment
Mastery Objective
Students role play the various actors in the controversy over sacred sites in the west such as Bear’s Lodge and Devils Rock.
Lessons
Day 6
Rock climbers claim any U.S. citizen should have complete access to the site because it is on Federal land. In deference to the religious practices of the Lakota, the National Park Service asks that people do not climb there during the entire month of June. The case has been litigated up to the Supreme Court.
After watching the video and discussing various aspects of the controversy, students role-play members of four teams: the Lakota, rock climbers, National Park Service and the courts.
Using on-line resources linked to the lesson, students research the issues and evaluate the sources. The first three teams present their demands in a hearing. The court tries to help them reach a compromise and then adjudicates any unresolved issues. The lesson continues as students compare the plight of the Lakota to that of the Hopi and Wintu, (as presented in the video) who also struggle to maintain their sacred lands.
Students role play the various actors in the controversy over sacred sites in the west such as Bear’s Lodge and Devils Rock.
Lessons
Day 6
- This lesson calls for students to role play the various actors in the controversy over sacred sites like Mato Tipila (Lakota for Bear's Lodge) at Devils Rock in Wyoming. Although the site was never ceded by treaty to the U.S. government, it is now under the administration of the National Park Service.
Rock climbers claim any U.S. citizen should have complete access to the site because it is on Federal land. In deference to the religious practices of the Lakota, the National Park Service asks that people do not climb there during the entire month of June. The case has been litigated up to the Supreme Court.
After watching the video and discussing various aspects of the controversy, students role-play members of four teams: the Lakota, rock climbers, National Park Service and the courts.
Using on-line resources linked to the lesson, students research the issues and evaluate the sources. The first three teams present their demands in a hearing. The court tries to help them reach a compromise and then adjudicates any unresolved issues. The lesson continues as students compare the plight of the Lakota to that of the Hopi and Wintu, (as presented in the video) who also struggle to maintain their sacred lands.
Day 7
Mastery Objective
In this two-day lesson, student groups research Native American issues about religious liberty and present their findings to the class.
Mastery Objective
In this two-day lesson, student groups research Native American issues about religious liberty and present their findings to the class.
- Here are research resources for each case
- One group will research Employment Division, State of Oregon v. Smith
- Another group will research the Dakota Pipeline and its relationship to Native American religion.
- Another group will research the use of eagle feathers in Native American ceremonies
- A fourth group will research Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association in which the appellant wanted to protect a national forest traditionally used by Native Americans for religious purposes.
- Student groups present their research project to the class.
- Students takes note during presentations