Activity Overview
The indigenous people of the California Intermountain Region are famous chiefs, artists, historians, activists, among many other professions. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and perspectives of Native Americans. In this activity, students will research a person and then create a biography poster highlighting their life and accomplishments
Using one of the templates or starting from scratch on the poster layout, students will build up a profile of their chosen figure. Depending on requirements or complexity, students can add timelines to their posters. However, the wide variety of characters, scenes, and items makes it very easy for students to customize their project to fit any guidelines.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
- Sacagawea: (1788-1812, Shoshoni) Led the Lewis and Clark Expedition
- Chief Bear Hunter: Shoshoni Chief during the Bear River Massacre of 1863
- Chief Washakie: (1804-1900, Shoshoni Chief) Distinguished leader of the Shoshone who was known as a fierce warrior as well as diplomatic statesman who worked towards peaceful relations with the white settlers including negotiating the Treaty of Laramie.
- Elsie Allen: (1899-1990, Pomo) Basket weaver instrumental in sustaining and carrying on the tradition of the art form
- Lucy Telles: (1885-1955, Paiute) Award-winning basket weaver
- Chief Winnemucca: (1820-1882, Paiute) Prominent leader of the Paiute, father of famous Paiute writer, Sarah Winnemucca and son of Chief Truckee
- Sarah Winnemucca: (1844-1891, Paiute) Translator, author, educator, activist and daughter of Chief Winnemucca. Her writings offered insights into the lives of the Paiute people and the negative impact of white settlement.
- Frank Day (Maidu): Konkow artist
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person that is of Indigenous heritage from the California Intermountain Region. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about the person's life.
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment.
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