Not "Spirit Animals"
Here you will pick your animal representitive.
Read the passages below then answer the questions. Once done follow the instructions on the screen.
There are 4 tasks to complete.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Indigenous peoples' relationships with animals are the result of tens of thousands of years of connections to their environments. The non-Native concept of "spirit animals" has seen a recent rise in popularity, in and out of the classroom. Finding animals they connect with can be a fun activity for many students. However, using the concept of a "spirit animal" while teaching Native American culture trivializes Native relationships to the animal world.
To respect Native Americans and animal life, we suggest that your classrooms work to support your local environments through advocating for animals and their natural habitats.
From the National Museum of the Native American Indian
These are spiritual guides that take the form of animals often viewed as sacred in tribal cultures.
Instead use terms like patronus, kindred spirit, reason for living, muse, guide, or familiar.
Daemon is another term used. If you have something you can think of instead of the suggestions let me know.
Here are also some advice and suggestions from the March Mammal Madness site:
I love otters! Can I call them my "spirit animal" without perpetuating racism and settler colonialism?
Most probably not. If you have a deep affinity for an animal, but your identity means you are culturally appropriating when you use the term, there are many options. We suggest: "inner animal", "anima", "emblem", or "animal quiddity/quidditas." #WordNerds. And please be thoughtful about those reaction gifs too.
Questions to answer:
Why is using the term "spirit animal" culturally insensitive?
What are other options other than spirit animal?
- Which term do you prefer for your animal?
*If you identify as a Native American do you have an animal affiliation?
patronus, kindred spirit, reason for living, representitive, muse, guide, or familiar.
Let me know if you have another word you prefer.
2. Make a list of character traits that you have.
Be kind to yourself in this list. You are important to the world.
3. Research animals that share your character traits.
This will be the animal that I will use to identify you in the study.
Now find the name of your animal in Potowatomi.
McCoy, M. K. (2023, August 9). 3 ways indigenous knowledge protects nature. Conservation International. https://www.conservation.org/blog/3-ways-indigenous-knowledge-protects-nature#:~:text=Despite%20representing%20less%20than%205,increases%20and%20forests%20are%20protected
Kimmerer, R. W. (2002). Weaving traditional ecological knowledge into biological education: A call to action. BioScience, 52(5), 432. https://bit.ly/2ZCNZtb
Zidny, R., Sjöström, J.m & Eilks I. (2020). A Multi-perspective reflection on how Indigenous Knowledge and related ideas can improve science education for sustainability. Science & Education 29(1), 145-85.