Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Indigenous Peoples Advocate”

Serve as an advocate in the US Government to create an argument fighting for the rights of Indigenous people in early US history.

Research and analyze the treatment of Indigenous people on the Trail of Tears so you can serve as an advocate or lawyer to testify on behalf of Indigenous people to the Federal Court. Use media or other resources to present visual images as evidence to provide testimony of the suffering caused by the Trail of Tears and the injustice of the US government’s forcible removal of the people. Use details from the novel to support your argument. Consider the statements below to guide your presentation.

• Describe the injustice of the removal of Indigenous people from their homes.
• Explain why Indigenous people deserve rights in the United States.
• Portray the harsh treatment of Indigenous people based on details from the novel and historical documents.
• Set up interviews with people to testify on behalf of the Indigenous people who witnessed cruel treatment or are familiar with the tribes.
• Describe the connection of Indigenous people to nature and the land and the injustices of removing people from their homes.