This assignment may be different from other research projects you have done in the past. This page is designed to help you navigate some of the unique resources you will be using, and how to deal with roadblocks you are likely to face. Since everyone is from somewhere different, each person's research for this assignment will look different based on what is available about your area. This guide presents one roadmap that can help guide you. If you feel lost, ask a librarian for help.
Here are a few tips for this research:
If you get stuck, are having trouble using a resource, or feel overwhelmed by all of the information you find, reach out to a librarian! We are experts in doing research, and we are here to help you with yours.
This resource is a guide for citing online resources in MLA format including entire websites, a page on a website, tweets, YouTube videos, images and artworks, and more. This page includes the framework for MLA citations, so you can adapt it to the type of resource you are citing and include the information you have. Always try to include as much of the information as you can find, and ask yourself if someone else would be able to locate the same source with just the information in your citation.
If you need help or want to check your citations, ask a librarian!
• Local government websites, local or state history websites
Use a Google search to find these. Look for your local chamber of commerce, historical societies, tourism boards, etc. See how local authorities portray the history of your place to locals and visitors. The resources you find may or may not discuss the native people who lived in your area before it was colonized. For example:
Get a sense of the generally accepted historical narrative for your area. For example: St. Peter, Minnesota: History and Treaty of Traverse des Sioux
Follow the links on the information pages for each group you find through the map. Look at "Websites" list and the "Sources" dropdown. These will lead you to sources discussing colonial history, and to websites for local tribes, nations, or bands. For example: Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Website
Once you have the names of the tribes and nations associated with your area, you can also use a Google search to find other organizations connected to those groups. For example: Dakota Wicohan
Note: You can text your zip code to (855) 917-5263 to find out whose land you are on. Data for this tool comes from Native-Land.ca.
Tips for this website:
Research Help:
