This site is designed to be particularly used as a K-12 education resource. Following are some suggested uses for particular audiences. For each succeeding group of users, additional resources with greater complexity are added to the list of suggested activities.
For student users with limited reading skills (K-2):
pictures of traditional life, including several with interactive pop-up displays, covering topics such as
marriage, male and female roles, and the tanning of a buffalo hide (Traditional Life section)
roll-over images showing both the contrasts and continuity between past and present; an exhibit
of photos of the people of Wind River Reservation by photographer Sara Wiles (Contemporary Life section)
large photos of natural scenes, with important animals and plants which can be found by interactively scrolling
over the image - each item has a pop-up display (Plants and Animals section)
photos of pow-wow dance costumes (Music and Dance section)
a map of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, which can be scrolled over to bring up pictures of places important
to the Arapaho (Places section)
video of different kinds of pow-wow dances; an animated story of the meaning of the ceremonial drum in
Arapaho life (Music and Dance section)
three short stories told in English, with accompanying animation (Language section)
interviews with contemporary Arapahos about life in the past and present (Contemporary Life section)
a series of traditional Arapaho songs, modern Arapaho gospel music (in Arapaho), and modern Arapaho pop music (in English) by the Sand Creek band (Music and Dance section)
some common Arapaho words (Language section); names of Arapaho plants and animals (pop-up displays within the Plants and Animals section. An example: eagle)
a basketball game (Contemporary Life section)
a music composition game (Music and Dance section)
Print and Color:
coloring pages showing images of traditional life (Traditional Life section)
For grades 3-5:
The Traditional Life section explains the process of tanning a buffalo hide in detail. It also explains a traditional Arapaho game which could be played by students, using substitute materials to construct the items necessary.
The Contemporary Life section explains the meaning of the Arapaho flag.
The Music and Dance section lists the many different types of dances which either are or were performed by the Arapaho. Students can discover whether they are still performed or not, and what were the reasons for the performance - entertainment, competition, sacred ritual?
The Places section provides examples of the many different types of Arapaho place names: based on historical events which occurred at the place, on resources obtained in the area, on the presence of animals or plants, or on descriptions of the appearance or people of the area. Students can search for examples of each. What types of names are NOT found? (hint: a common English type of place name is Johnson's Corner, Miller's Crossing, Jamestown, etc.) Also, look for places which still exist today (Denver, etc): what was the Arapaho name, and what was the reason for it?
The Language section includes a list of languages which are related to Arapaho, and also a list of words borrowed into English from Arapaho-like languages, with which students will be familiar.
The Plants and Animals section provides additional information about how various plants and animals were used by the Arapaho. Students should look for information on species they are familiar with. (An example: eagle).
For Upper Grades:
LANGUAGE: Try learning some basic Arapaho language by doing one of the language lessons with exercizes. Check the key to see if you got them right.
MODERN LIFE: Learn more about Arapahos live today - what sports are most popular? What do most people do for a living? What do they think about how they have been treated by Euro-Americans?
TRIBAL SYMBOLISM: Learn about Arapaho symbolism - what does the flag represent? How about the ceremonial drum?
WOMEN'S LIVES: Learn about women's particular roles in the traditional society and read excerpts from the autobiography of a woman who was born around 1850.
RELIGION: Look at an Arapaho prayer - how does it compare to your beliefs?
STEREOTYPES: How accurate are your views of Native Americans? What stereotypes do you have? Do you recognize the difference between the past and the present for Native Americans?
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