Oneida People's Original Indigenous Instructions as the Basis for Curriculum

Abstract

The Oneida people's original instructions tell us to give thanks for all of creation. One way to give thanks is through the recital of the Kanehelatúksla? (Thanksgiving Address). Using a first-person narrative approach, two Oneida women explain how they used the Kanehelatúksla? to serve as a comprehensive, scaffolded, homeschool curriculum that exceeds state educational standards. Doing so moves away from indoctrinated Western educational standards and stewards children to expand their worldview in sync with the universe. To demonstrate, this article pulls out a single example of planting our Indigenous heirloom corn and discusses designing lessons around corn. Employing the example of corn and the larger framework of the Kanehelatúksla? can help heal historical trauma by reuniting the people with our language and culture as it was meant to be—in the garden, in the woods, in the creeks, and in the community.