Directions: Use the themes, questions and video clips below to teach and learn with portions of C-SPAN's American Writers program featuring Black Elk and Black Elk Speaks. Link to the complete video clip list to identify clip descriptions and create your own lessons. Each theme contains questions and video clips appropriate for varying grade levels.
Lesson Credit:
C-SPAN 2001 Teacher Fellows Chris Maloney & Tom Watts.

1. Into what type of setting was Black Elk born? To what tribe did he belong? How and when was Black Elk Speaks published?
2. Who assisted Black Elk in writing his book? What is the best way to categorize the content of the book? Was it a spoken history, a description of Lakota spirituality or both? Explain.
3. What did Black Elk mean when he said, 'the spirit of the Black Hills?'
4. What does Black Elk's spiritual vision say about human diversity?
5. How is Black Elk Speaks still relevant today?

1. Categorize the historical events leading up to the Battle of Little Big Horn of 1876 into three groups:

Economic:
Military:
Social:

1. Which is more proper - 'Native American,' 'First Nation' or 'American Indian?' Why?
2. How does Charlotte Black Elk feel that the treatment of American Indians in colonial times has carried over into present day stereotypes and cultural conflicts?
3. How do most modern day American Indians respond to labels such as 'redskins?'
4. According to author Don Fixico, what is the initial human reaction to encountering people who are different than themselves?
5. According to Charlotte Black Elk, how have 19th century 'white' colonial attitudes towards American Indians shaped present day U.S. government policy towards American Indians? Do you agree? Is this policy just?