Native American Ways

Native American cultures are beautiful, rich, and wise. They are fundamentally rooted to their place of origination on the Earth. They are enjoyable and interesting to learn. And they are still alive.

The mission of the “Native Ways” branch of Sylvan’s Youth Education Service is to teach students about contemporary and past Native American cultures of Virginia and elsewhere by introducing them to their histories, stories, songs, dances, beliefs, and handiwork.

The American Indian Legacy program

This is a rare opportunity to have someone who knows traditional native cultures firsthand come to your students. Sylvan’s presentations are neither as a costumed performer putting on a show, nor as a lecturer. Rather, he both personally walks the “red road’ and wants to help young people understand that road and the Native viewpoint.

While the American Indian Legacy program covers the history of first nations, Sylvan believes it is important for young people to understand that Native Americans are not solely a people of the past. He presents both the pre-colonial history of first nations, and their contemporary cultures. Students will receive a Native perspective of U.S. history, and they will gain a better appreciation of Native cultures both historically and in the present.

For Virginia schools, the program can focus on the tribes of that state; or it may cover several of the distinct cultural traditions from across “Turtle Island”.

As with all YES programs, the Native Ways program is a balance of hands-on experiences and academic information. Sylvan and, when appropriate, friends will share songs, dances, stories, handiwork, and lifestyles of first Americans.

This program is suitable for either the classroom or full school assembly. grades: K – 12
length: 1 hour assembly program, 1 – 2 hour classroom program (may include a craft)
location: indoors
SOLs: History 2.2, 2.4(b), VS.2(d, e), USI.3, USI.4(b)
fees: $110 - $160 for classroom program; $225 for assembly program

Virginia Standards of Learning

SOLs in bold type specifically relate to that program and are covered in depth in it.
SOLs not in bold type more generally relate to that program and are usually introduced in it. We can often cover these standards in more depth in the program with advance request.
SOLs other than History are not correlated to the American Indian Legacy program. However, we do cover other SOLs in this program through activities such as singing, dancing, and crafts. Contact us with questions or requests about other SOLs.
For a list of SOLs and their related programs click here.

We are happy to customize programs to a teacher’s SOL needs!

Sylvan Willig has been studying Native cultures and history for twenty years. In 2007 he was one of a select group of Virginia educators chosen to participate in the first “Beyond Jamestown” seminar on Virginia Indian history, sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. But perhaps more important than his academic studies, he has spent much personal time with traditional elders, healers, and ceremonial leaders of numerous tribal nations throughout the United States. He has been a guest at numerous reservations, befriending these proud people and learning first-nations’ cultures firsthand. He personally walks the “red road” under the guidance of a traditional Lakota (western Sioux) healer and ceremonial leader. He is a cannunpa (prayer pipe) carrier and sundancer in that tradition, and has also studied under teachers of other Native nations.

“Do not misunderstand me, but understand me fully with reference to my affection for the land.” Heinmot Tooyalaket (Chief Joseph)

The American Indian Legacy program

Virginia Standards of Learning

We are happy to customize programs to a teacher’s SOL needs!