War is a subject that, in the author’s opinion, should be avoided when introducing young students to Native American culture (in the sense of in-depth war practices, not dates and places of battles). Avoidance of this subject is not denial of the violence that historically took place (in both Native and non-Native cultures) as it is that this topic tends to only villainize the Native People in the eyes of children. Because of pop-cultural influences (especially that of films), Native People are introduced as enemies of us – an underlying feeling most students have before ever actually studying the Native People in a classroom setting. Even if in movies the Native People are not being portrayed as the “bad guys,” their alien cultural materials and social culture labels them as different in the sense of strangers. Strangers for children mean “people you can’t trust, and might try to hurt you” (as parents warn their children for their own safety in our society). Even if Native Americans and Euro-Americans are just shown side-by-side with no story plot disclosed, our culture has taught our children that there is always a dualism (good vs. evil), which means one must be good (or better) and the other bad (or just not as good as the other). Ask children when playing “Cowboys & Indians” who the bad guys are. Rarely will they point out that neither are bad guys (because it would make no sense to fight each other if both were good), and most likely the cowboys will never be the bad guys because white-American children can identify more with them. Cowboys are classic white-heroes of America’s frontier (conquering nature and the Native populations).
Speaking about Native Americans and war when children have already been exposed to the “bad guys” concept will only serve to build upon this unfortunate feeling. Our children (like our society) gravitate to the “sensational,” and students will be more likely to focus on the fact that Native Peoples would at times torture prisoners (sensational) rather than that of daily Native parental guidance and love for their children (lack-luster).
Remember, it is in our nature to want to look for evidence that supports our beliefs, and ignore evidence that does not fit our perspectives. Stereotypes are hard to break because it compromises our worldviews, which can be very uncomfortable. Nobody wants to learn what they believe to be reality is possibly not. For example, this is why people in our society might sight a “break through” in their lives when they accepted a big change in their worldview (i.e. college epiphany, religious awakening, accepting responsibility for destructive behaviors, etc.).
With this in mind, you can make the informed decision of whether to introduce or avoid the cultural details of Native politics and practices of war and violence toward enemies. Even if you want to avoid such a topic in-depth, it is very likely that students may still ask questions relating to this subject, and the answers must be given in a way that does not villainize the Native People for practices that their culture is not unique in practicing. American students are exposed to movies, TV specials, and possibly battle reenactments at historic sites. They are certainly exposed to this topic outside the classroom, so just be prepared to address these questions as best as you can.
