How and Why Were Reservations Created in North Dakota?

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This inquiry explores conflict in North Dakota and on the northern Great Plains between Native and non-Native nations as tribes were pushed out of their traditional homelands when Europeans and Americans moved onto the plains. This topic is introduced through the investigation of the compelling question “How and why were reservations created in North Dakota?” The importance of understanding the conflict in this context is twofold: (1) students should be able to understand the intense pressure and tension between Native Americans and the United States to maintain control over the Great Plains and (2) students will benefit from understanding how the reservation system was developed and used as a tool to manage this conflict and how it continues to affect government relations to the present day. While progressing through the inquiry, students will analyze the changes occurring on reservations and speculate future scenarios.

The terms “Native Americans” and “Native peoples” are used in this inquiry. The terms “American Indians” and “Indians” are used in much of the scholarly literature. In this inquiry, precise tribal names will be used when they are known.

This inquiry is expected to take four class periods; however, teachers are encouraged to adapt the inquiry to meet the needs and interests of their students and the amount of time they have available.

Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™
Compelling Question
How and why were reservations created in North Dakota?
Standards and Practices
ND.6-12.4.4 Analyze the effect of government policy, both historical and modern, toward Native American groups in North Dakota.
Staging the Question
What is reservation life like for Native Americans?
Supporting Question 1
Supporting Question 2
Supporting Question 3
For what reasons were the U.S. military initially sent to the northern Great Plains?
What is the Reservation system and how was it implemented in North Dakota?
What is reservation life like today?
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Write a summary or outline of why the U.S. government initially sent the military to Dakota Territory.
Write a summary of what life was like for Native American people during this period.
Create a graphic organizer that depicts what life is like on reservations for Native American people today.
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
  • Armed Conflict Document Set
  • Frontier Scout Document Set
  • Indian Fairs
  • Additional library and resources
Summative Performance Task
Argument
How did the forced transition to reservation life affect Native American people? Construct an argument that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views. Create a poster and present your argument to your class with evidence to support your claims.
Extension
Invite a Native American elder or tribal community representative to speak to your class either in-person or virtually.
Taking Informed Action

Understand: Identify tribes who consider the land where your community is as part of their traditional homelands.

Assess: Determine what has happened to those people—who are they and where do they live now? Are their ways in which your community can support them today?

Act: Work with their community to develop a land acknowledgement statement. Encourage school and community leaders to use the land acknowledgement statement in a thoughtful and meaningful way.