ARCHIVED NDNAEU LESSON

Native Animals & Sacred Laws in North Dakota

Middle school (6–8) · High school (9–12) · Social Studies · NDNAEU 1, 2, 7

This lesson is preserved from Teachings of Our Elders. Its original standards and instructional content are historical; review alignment, source availability, cultural protocols, and suitability for your learners before use.

[link unavailable; checked 2026-10-15] Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™

Native Animals in North Dakota

NDNAEU 1 “Sacred Relatives”, NDNAEU 2 “Learning & Storytelling” NDNAEU 7 “Native Identity”

Compelling Question	How do we relate to the animals where we live?
Standards and Practices	SOC.6_12.1-2.D2.2 Explain the relationship between culture and society.
Staging the Question	What lessons can native North Dakota animals teach us about values and about ourselves?

Supporting Question 1	Supporting Question 2	Supporting Question 3
How does the buffalo relate to people?	How does the bear relate to people?	How does the eagle relate to people?
Formative Performance Task	Formative Performance Task	Formative Performance Task
Students watch the video about the buffalo and draw pictures from memory about the buffalo legend. Students listen to elder Dave Chorchene share on the Seven Sacred Laws and animals.	Students watch the video about the bear. Students have a talking circle about the value of the bear and how we are connected to both.	Students listen to elder Dave Corchene Share on the Seven Sacred Laws. Have a talking circle relating to animals and values and how we are connected to both. Students make an eagle from paper plates and write what eagle feathers relate to people.
Featured Sources	Featured Sources	Featured Sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aKqjrgz92w https://texasbeyondhistory.net/kids/buffalo.html http://www.native-languages.org/ndakota-animals.htm [link unavailable; checked 2026-10-15] https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=seven+sacred+laws+dave+Chorchene&&view=detail&mid=089F083412D50F7C5C1D089F083412D50F7C5C1D&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dseven%2Bsacred%2Blaws%2Bdave%2BChorchene%26go%3DSearch%26qs%3Dn%26sp%3D-1%26pq%3Dseven%2Bsacred%2Blaws%2Bdave%2Bchorchene%26sc%3D0-32%26sk%3D%26cvid%3DA6A80C9271E9447EBFA8DC77F7CFE617%26FORM%3DVDVVXX	http://www.native-languages.org/ndakota-animals.htm [link unavailable; checked 2026-10-15] https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=seven+sacred+laws+dave+Chorchene&&view=detail&mid=089F083412D50F7C5C1D089F083412D50F7C5C1D&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dseven%2Bsacred%2Blaws%2Bdave%2BChorchene%26go%3DSearch%26qs%3Dn%26sp%3D-1%26pq%3Dseven%2Bsacred%2Blaws%2Bdave%2Bchorchene%26sc%3D0-32%26sk%3D%26cvid%3DA6A80C9271E9447EBFA8DC77F7CFE617%26FORM%3DVDVVXX	https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=seven+sacred+laws+dave+Chorchene&&view=detail&mid=089F083412D50F7C5C1D089F083412D50F7C5C1D&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dseven%2Bsacred%2Blaws%2Bdave%2BChorchene%26go%3DSearch%26qs%3Dn%26sp%3D-1%26pq%3Dseven%2Bsacred%2Blaws%2Bdave%2Bchorchene%26sc%3D0-32%26sk%3D%26cvid%3DA6A80C9271E9447EBFA8DC77F7CFE617%26FORM%3DVDVVXX http://www.dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org/efeather.php http://www.native-languages.org/ndakota-animals.htm [link unavailable; checked 2026-10-15]

SUMMATIVE PERFORMANCE TASK: Supported Claim (written/spoken) or Demonstration of Process (project-based)	Explain which animal best resembles you.  Are you brave, loving, respectful?  Give supporting evidence like examples of things you have done to exemplify the trait.
SUMMATIVE PERFORMANCE TASK: Extension	Make a diorama featuring the animals on the plains of North Dakota.
Taking Informed Action / Real World Application	https://gf.nd.gov/education Students explore ND Game and Fish sites and activities to find and do activities outdoors and learn more about animals and nature.

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