View points - Colonial American/Native American Conflict in New England

Introduction

            Perhaps one of the most interesting and, at times, most difficult aspects of the library profession is to provide resources for library patrons which come from multiple viewpoints. This can be especially difficult for YA Librarians, who must present multiple perspectives sensitivity yet firmly, even when it comes to controversial topics. Adding to the complexity of this task are the perspectives of the librarian. It can be difficult, after all, to place emotions aside and create a collection that presents both sides of an issue, especially when a topic is personally significant. Topics such as World War I and II, Vietnam, and 9/11, for example, evoke such an emotional response that it can be difficult to remain neutral. Another example of such a significant topic arises from the conflict between Colonial Americans and Native Americans in the 1600s. Presenting information on this conflict requires mindfulness to multiple ethnic and gender perspectives, and to the varied emotions that these perspectives can call to mind.

For some, the topic of Colonial American/Native American conflict brings to mind the struggles of their ancestors to set forth on a great adventure, and to settle a wild, new territory.  For others, the struggle was not to settle a new land, but to protect the one they had always known. In 1675, this conflict came to a head in the form of King Philip’s War, which became, “The Bloodiest conflict in 17^th century New England” (King Philip’s War, 2011). For colonists, who bonded over shared trials and tribulations, this conflict played a part in the growing sense of national identify. But for native peoples, it was a frantic attempt to preserve an entire way of life.

The following bibliography has been created to present multiple perspectives, and to ground this information in real-life stories and historical fiction, which will foster a sense of empathy for both Colonial and Native American struggles. The goal is not to force students to choose one side over the other; rather, the objective is to help them understand and identify with both sides, at once.

~Sarah Mallory

Bibliography

Reference/Non-Fiction

1.      Allen, P. G. & Smith, P. C. (1996). As Long as the Rivers Flow: The Stories of Nine Native Americans. New York, NY: Scholastic. Grades 5-8. ISBN: 9780590478694.

a.       A biography of noteworthy Native Americans who helped to form the history of their people. In addition to providing information on some well-known names, this title includes the story of Weetamoo, a sachem who was responsible for leading the Pocasset tribe during King Phillip’s War (Sherman, 1996).

2.      Averill, E. H. (1993). King Philip: The Indian Chief. Hamden, CT: Linnet Books. Young Adult. ISBN: 9780208023575.

a.       A biography of the Wampanoag sachem who started King Philip’s war, which prominently exhibits the Native American perspective on the conflict.

3.      Gray, E. G. (2002). Colonial America: A History in Documents. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press. Grades 9-12. ISBN: 9780195137477.

a.       Shares the perspective of Colonial Americans and their struggles through source documents, which are placed into context through discussion and explanation. Provides, “well-chosen selections of original documents supported by solid background information” (Phelan, 2002).

4.      Karr, R. D. (1999). Indian New England 1524-1674: A Compendium of Eyewitness Accounts of Native American Life (Heritage of New England Series). Pepperell, MA: Branch Line Press. Adult/Reference. ISBN: 9780942147070.  

a.       This unique title uses source documents from Colonial Americans and other traders to explore the day-to-day lives of Native Americans in New England.

5.      Manitonquat. (1994). The Children of the Morning Light: Wampanoag Tales. New York : Maxwell Macmillan International. Grades 3-5. ISBN: 9780027659054.

a.       This title adds context and personality to the history of conflict between Native American and Colonial American people by sharing some of the oral traditions of the Wampanoag people. A must read for students who are learning to identify with both sides of the conflict. “A strong collection with range and depth that informs as well as entertains” (Hutt, 1994).

6.      Nardo, D. (2010). Daily Life in Colonial America (Lucent Library of Historical Eras Series). Detroit, MI: Lucent Books. Grades 6-10. ISBN: 9781420502640.

a.       This title provides a detailed exploration of the daily life of Colonial Americans. This resource may make it easier for students to identify with these early settlers, and to understand what their lives must have been like. The impact of the fear of Native American conflicts is discussed.

7.      Yerkow, L. P. (1979). Slumps, Grunts, and Snickerdoodles: What Colonial America Ate and Why. New York, NY: Seabury Press. Young Adult. ISBN: 9780816431526.

a.       Another title that adds context and personality to the history of Colonial America, this time from the perspective of the Colonists. This book presents easy-to-follow recipes for traditional colonial foods, and grounds these food traditions in historical context. A must read for students learning to identify with both sides of the conflict.

Historical Fiction

1.      Fleischman, P. (1992). Saturnalia. New York, NY: HarperCollins. Grades 7 up. ISBN: 9780064470896.

a.       The struggles of William, a 14 year old Narraganset Indian, who has been living with Colonists since he was 8 years old. Readers will connect with both perspectives as they read about daily life as a printer’s apprentice, and about William’s struggles to connect with his Native American ancestry.

2.      Kirkpatrick, K. (1998). Trouble’s Daughter: The Story of Susanna Hutchinson, Indian Captive. New York, NY: Dell Yearling. Grades 5-8. ISBN: 9780440415794.

a.       To flee persecution for her mother’s outspoken, religious views, Susanna Hutchinson and her family moved to Colonial America. But when her family is killed by Lenape warriors and Susanna is taken hostage, she must learn to live as a member of the tribe. Rescued by her mother’s murderer, Susanna learns to survive and to respect the Native American way of life. But when the time comes, can she transition back to Colonial society? A wonderful addition to historical studies in which, “ children do more then just view history--they see themselves” (Cooper, 1998).

3.      Luhrmann, W. (1989). Only Brave Tomorrows. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. Grades 5-9. ISBN: 9780395479834.

a.       A fifteen year old colonial girl finds love after her family is murdered during an Indian raid. But when her new husband leaves to fight in King Philip’s War, how will she survive?

Conclusion

In order to help students to identify with both sides of a conflict—such as that of the Colonial and Native Americans in New England—it is vital to provide more than just a summary of the event in question. To discover the truth behind multiple perspectives, students must be immersed in discussions of culture, society, and beliefs. Viewpoints are constructed of these building blocks, and it would be impossible to truly understand both sides of a conflict without first examining each of these individual parts. The works selected for this bibliography have been chosen first, to provide background facts on the Colonial/Native American conflict in the 1600s, which culminated in King Philip’s War. In addition, works were selected to provide students with an understanding of the cultural identities of each of these groups, through an exploration of foods, legends, and belief systems. Finally, works of historical fiction were selected, in which the conflict between these two groups played a prevalent role. Through these readings, it is hoped that students will come to identify with the Native Americans of New England, and with the Colonial Americans who settled here, as well.

References

Hutt, K. (1994). The Children of the Morning Light: Wampanoag Tales. Retrieved March 27,

2011, from Booklist Reviews: http://www.booklistonline.com/

ProductInfo.aspx?pid=405168

King Philip’s War. (2011). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/318529/King-Philips-War

Phelan, C. (2003). Colonial America: A History in Documents. Retrieved March 25, 2011, from

Booklist Reviews: http://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=836314

Sherman, C. (1996). As Long As the Rivers Flow: The Stories of Nine Native Americans.

Retrieved March 28, 2011, from Booklist Reviews: http://www.booklistonline.com/

ProductInfo.aspx?pid=302199

Cooper, I. (1998). Trouble’s Daughter: The Story of Susanna Hutchinson, Indian Captive.

Retrieved March 27, 2011, from Booklist Reviews: http://www.booklistonline.com/

ProductInfo.aspx?pid=254180