Girl Scouts of Washington Rock C

Requirements for Native American Heritage Patch

Native American Heritage Patch

Daisies complete 5 activities. Brownies complete 7 activities and 1 starred. Juniors complete 9 activities and 1 starred. Cadets and Seniors complete10 activities and 2 starred.

* There have been many Indian women who have contributed and who continue to make contributions to our society find out about one of these women and how her cultural background is expressed though her work and how she grew up.

Different tribes could not always communicate with one another in the same language, so they developed sign language. Learn sign language and try communicating with one another or sing a song using sign language.

Find out information on the different roles for women in the Native American cultures.

* Native Americans drew symbols on cave walls, rocks, and animal skins to tell stories, make signs, or just for art. Make a chart of some of these symbols, and then write your own story using these symbols. Share your story with the troop.

Attend a Native American traditional event such as a pow-wow.

Music is an integral part of ceremonies and dances. The Indians had different instruments. What were some of these and what were they made of? Choose one and make it. What does it sound like? Could you use it in a dance of your own?

* Ceremonies were, and are, an important part of Native American life. They were used for celebrations, recognitions, religion, and to give thanks to the “Great One” for providing animals for the next day’s hunt. Find out about a particular ceremony. What special costumes were worn and what was the ceremony’s significance?

Learn about Native American dwellings. Find out how they were made. Make a diorama.

Research Native American cuisine. Plan and prepare a meal with your troop.

Visit a museum, art exhibit or display about Native American people. Learn their history, how they lived then and now, their dress, and how they communicated.

* Storytelling is a rich heritage among Native Americans. Read a book written by a Native American and /or read a short story and remember it well enough to tell it to your family or troop. Identify the moral of the story.

Look up names of various rivers, towns, and states that have Native American names. Compile a list of 15 names and try to find out what they mean. If you can, try to find out the correct Native American pronunciation of the words.

Pick a Tribe or Nation and learn something about the people. Which tribe/ nation did you choose? What part of the United States did they live before they were placed on a Reservation?

Learn how to play two Native American games or create a game using items found in your everyday life and share with your troop.

* As a group, plan and carry out a service project. Contact the local domestic abuse shelters or an organization that services the needs of woman and girls. Find out what they could use for the daily needs of people who use the facility. Gather donates items from your family and community. Put together “Care Bags” with the supplies that you collect and then take to the shelter. Don’t forget to write “Thank you” cards to those who made a donation.

Invite a guest speaker or two whose work addresses community needs. Ask the girls what they think they can do to help their community’s women and children in need.

Create a Native Americans artifact, rain stick, drum, vest, totem pole, dream catcher. Have your own pow-wow.

* How many Native American tribes can you name? Where were they located 200 years ago? Where are they located now?

Indians are a fun-loving people and often tribal members of all ages join in the many games they invented. Many of these games had a purpose. Learn two games and their significance or history.

Learn what plants Native American used for natural medicines. What plants or minerals are used for plaints and dyes? Do a project using plants or dyes.

Dancing is an important element of Native American culture. There are specific costumes for the different dances. Find out what a “straight dance” and a “feather dances” are. Learn a dance and share it with another troop. Make a part of a costume which goes with the dance you have learned.

* Go to the library or computer and research the history of the Lenni Lenape Indians. Map out the “Lenape Trail” or “Minisink Trail.”

As a troop, volunteer to work at a local organization that serves meals to the homeless. Be as involved as possible in the meal, perhaps your troop can plan the food, help prepare it and serve the meal. Make decorations for the tables. Help clean up after the meal is served. Discuss as a troop what kind of impact you may have made on the people that you served.