Native American Studies Quiz

What was one of the primary reasons Native Americans used storytelling?

• To entertain each other

• To pass down traditions about survival and living off the land

• To create new languages

• To teach foreign settlers how to survive

When Native Americans were relocated, what helped them stay connected to their homeland?

• Farming and fishing

• Trade with other nationalities

• Their customs, language, and religion

• Writing letters to their family

What are Native American stories often filled with?

• Modern history and politics

• Entertainment and humor

• Teachings, legends, and instructions for ceremonies

• Philosophical debates and ancient laws

What is one of the purposes of Native American stories about local plants and animals?

• To teach how these plants and animals came to be

• To entertain young children

• To make people fear animals

• To discourage exploration of nature

Why have Native American stories survived for generations?

• They were preserved in written books

• They have power and have been passed down despite attempts at repression

• They were shared only with other nationalities

• They were part of Native American laws

What are oral traditions in Native communities primarily used for?

• Writing stories for entertainment

• Sharing historical knowledge

• Teaching foreign languages

• Documenting economic transactions

How did Native Americans of the Northern Great Plains record their histories?

• Through writing in books

• By carving symbols into stone

• With pictographic paintings on bison hides, called winter counts

• Using metal tools to engrave their stories

What role did the "keepers" of winter counts play in Native American communities?

• They were responsible for gathering food

• They painted the images and acted as storytellers

• They taught children how to hunt

• They built shelters for the community

What is one key benefit of storytelling in traditional Native education systems?

• It develops listening skills, memory, and imagination

• It teaches only about hunting and gathering

• It focuses on teaching math and science

• It replaces all other forms of education

What do Native American oral traditions often convey?

• Practical instructions on farming

• Personal, family, or tribal history and experiences

• Trade agreements with other nations

• Scientific explanations of natural events