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a branding iron using the word indian

To the Discriminating Collector, 2002

Gerald Clarke Jr.

Cahuilla, Born 1967, Steel, Gift of Loren G. Lipson, M.D., Autry Museum of the American West, 2017.16.1

This sculptural, oversized “branding iron” references the complicated and brutal history of American Indian slavery that began with the first continental settlers. In early California, Native Americans were often forced laborers whose children could be legally indentured, and whose testimony by law was not accepted in court. This historical trauma and the related genocide of American Indian people and cultures left a deep scar, like an invisible brand. By working on cultural revitalization, including the recovery of ceremonies and language, Native communities are taking steps to heal from this colonial legacy.

When I Remember I See Red: American Indian Art and Activism in California Art Analysis

Resource Type
Lesson
Grade Level:
9–12
Discipline:
Art, Social Studies
Topic:
Native Americans, Activism, Art Elements, California

Self-Paced Lesson  

During this activity, students will analyze art and object labels from the When I Remember I See Red: American Indian Art and Activism in California exhibition. The art featured in this exhibition highlights the culture, history, identity, and traditions of different Native American communities along with the injustices they have faced. Then each student will create their own artwork and object label to tell the story of one of their own communities.

Standards  

CA VA: Re7
CA VA: Cr1
CA VA: Cr2 

Lesson Resources

Lesson: Pdf in full; Pdf in Spanish Student Response Sheet: Student Response Sheet (fillable pdf); Student Response Sheet (fillable pdf) in Spanish

Teaching Tips for Different Learning Environments

Whole Class In-Person Learning: 

Relate: Students will make connections to their own lives.

  • Ask the whole class to share the different types of art that they have previously created. Then read with the whole class the descriptions about the various forms of art in the INTRODUCTION and look at their images.

Investigate: Students will analyze art and object labels.

  • Read PART 1 with the whole class. Next, have the students work in groups, with partners, or individually to analyze art in PART 1 - PART 3. Afterward, have the students share their answers to the questions with the whole class. Then ask the students to analyze an object label by doing PART 4 - PART 5 before sharing their responses to the questions with the whole class.
  • Have students work in groups, with partners, or individually to complete PART 6 - PART 9. Then ask the students to share with the whole class the artwork and object label they chose to analyze along with their responses to the questions.

Create: Students will create their own artwork and object label.

  • Assign the students PART 10 - PART 12 to complete individually.

Demonstrate: Students will demonstrate their learning by sharing their work with others.

  • Have students share PART 11 - PART 12 during a classroom exhibition or gallery walk.  

Whole Class Distance Learning:

Follow Whole Class In-Person Learning above. Instead of having a classroom exhibition or gallery walk, students can post a video of themselves sharing PART 11 - PART 12 for others to view through Padlet or Flipgrid. 

Associated Resources 

Educational Programs at the Autry are sponsored by:

Dean and Laura Beresford · Molly and Neal Brockmeyer · Vince and Colleen Caballero · Capital Group · David F. Eisenberg · The Georgina-Fredrick Children's Foundation · Christy McAvoy · Marleen and Bruce Rognlien · Robert E. Ronus · Brenda and Gary Ruttenberg · The Steinmetz Foundation · Virginia F. Stevenson · Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation

Land Acknowledgment

The Autry Museum of American West acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). We recognize that the Autry Museum and its campuses are located on the traditional lands of Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

The Autry Museum in Griffith Park

4700 Western Heritage Way

Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462
Located northeast of downtown, across from the Los Angeles Zoo.
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