tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post225160430241918231..comments2024-03-27T14:08:51.191-05:00Comments on American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): Not Recommended: Conrad Richter's THE LIGHT IN THE FORESTDebbie Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972409006633565859noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-55701210384707225442023-05-16T18:52:22.738-05:002023-05-16T18:52:22.738-05:00Susan, As far as you know, were any of your studen...Susan, As far as you know, were any of your students Native -- or Lenni Lenape specifically? It's important for non-Native educators to recognize that Native students may "receive" information differently than non-Native students do when that information deals with genocidal wrongs like the Conestoga massacre, and underlying anti-Indigenous attitudes such as those advanced so self-servingly by "the Paxtons". Native children might not speak out, but they may find it very difficult and disturbing. If you were still teaching, I would strongly recommend 1) let parents of Native kids know ahead of time that you're having the class study those situations and listen to concerns they may have about it, and 2) use the work of Native historians and writers regarding those situations. Light in the Forest may have been unusual for its time (1953) but it leaves something to be desired as a contemporary source of knowledge about Native people.<br /><br />I looked at the word list you linked to, apparently put together by the Boy Scouts of America, and was frustrated to find that it doesn't cite a source! Many Native Nations are working to preserve and revitalize their own languages, and have websites that feature word lists, pronunciation guides, videos, and apps with authentic, accurate information. Here's a link to the Lenape Language main page of the official web site of the Delaware Tribe of Indians: <br /><br />https://delawaretribe.org/blog/2013/06/26/language/<br /><br /><br />Jean Mendozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01082939369068823250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-84684018568180693972023-05-11T13:47:56.934-05:002023-05-11T13:47:56.934-05:00I am a retired teacher, currently working on a lec...I am a retired teacher, currently working on a lecture about the Paxon Boys of Pennsylvania. I first became acquainted with the Paxton Boys, when I taught "The Light in the Forest" in my 8th grade classroom, and I used the book for at least 15 years, until I was put in charge of the Gifted Support program. I always included background study with the students about the French and Indian War and the Conestoga massacre. I found it to be a good experience for my students.<br /><br />That being said, I noticed that you perceived that, while other characters had Indian/Native American named, Ture Son did not. Yes, he did; his name was Lenni Quis, which means True Son. There is a Lenni Lenape available at:<br /> https://oa-bsa.org/uploads/publications/LenniLenapeWordList.pdf<br /><br />Susan Lyons maryslyons@yahoo.comSusan Lyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05496541935289320651noreply@blogger.com