Native American Research Paper Topics for Eighth-Ninth Grade
The history and culture of the native peoples of North America is vast and complex. Such a long, complicated, and controversial history is fascinating and important to study, and it also yields a number of potential research essay topics for students of eighth or ninth grade.
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Tribe Exploration
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One topic idea for a Native American research paper is to explore one or more of the various tribes that have lived in North America for millennia. Explore the geography of a tribe as well as the people's language and culture. You can focus either on a single tribe, or compare two or more tribes. A research paper can choose tribes that were united -- such as those in the Iroquois Federation -- or vastly different tribes or peoples.
Major Historical Events
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Native Americans participated in a number of major historical events, both before and after contact with Europeans, sometimes assisting, sometimes fighting with or against European colonists, Canadians, or Americans. Such events include the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock; the taking of Quebec in 1759; the War of 1812 between the Americans and the British; and the battle at Little Big Horn led by General Custer.
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Native American Tools, Structures, and Food
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If you are looking for more specific research paper topics, focusing on the tools, structures, and food of Native Americans can be good ideas. Papers could focus on the construction of wigwams, axes, or fire pits. Alternatively, look at Native American traditional foods, such as pemmican or bannock. Research the origin of these tools, structures, and foods and explain their development and current use.
Contemporary Native Americans
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While research papers on Native Americans tend to focus on the history of tribes and their involvement in historic events, the state of contemporary Native people is also an interesting and significant topic for research papers. Topics include contemporary tribal communities and their culture; the demography of contemporary Native Americans; and the social challenges faced by native peoples today. Most tribes have their own websites, which can provide a starting point for research (see Resources).
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Indian Headress image by Stormy Ward from Fotolia.com
