Plot (Events in the Story)
Where is Ned, formerly known as Kii Yahzi, being sent away to in chapter 1 and why?
What does the name Kii Yahzi mean in Navajo?
Little boy
Describe one aspect of Navajo culture (remember culture is the way in which someone lives, like their language, their clothes, what music they listen to, etc.)
Long hair, wearing their finest clothing, fancy jewelry, close relationship with family, live in hogans, clan names
Describe how the boarding school principal treated the Navajo children when they first arrived at the school.
He yelled at them and was very angry. He told them that everything Navajo was bad.
Sue is native to Lexington, Kentucky. What does the word "native" mean?
Belonging to one by birth
What is one activity Ned and his uncle did together while traveling to the boarding school in chapter 2?
Slept under the moon and stars, cooked food over the fire, ate mutton and beans
Who is the narrator of the text and who is the narrator telling the story to?
In chapter one, Kii Yahzi's uncle says to him, "Our people agreed never again to fight against the United States and they were allowed to go back home. But even though the white men allowed us to come home, we now had to live under their laws. We had to learn their ways. That is why some of us must go to their schools. We must be able to speak to them, tell them who we really are, reassure them that we will always be friends of the United States. That is why you must go to school: not for yourself, but for your family, for our people, for our sacred land.” What does this show about how Navajos feel about their land?
Their land is precious to them. In fact, it's so precious that they are willing to strip away their culture to please the white people who were in charge. They will do anything to protect their sacred land.
When Ned was punished for accidentally speaking Navajo, his friend Jesse Chee reminded him that the Holy People were still with him and knew that he needed to hear Navajo words in that moment. Why do think this helped Ned feel better?
He was being reminded of his culture and it gave him some peace
Give an example of someone being defiant
Answers will vary
How did Kii Yahzi feel when he first walked into the boarding school? What changed his initial feelings?
What was Mr. Jacob Benally's job at the boarding school?
He was an interpreter for the Navajo children
During his first day at boarding school, Kii Yahzi described the Navajo children being yelled at by the principal. He stated, “Navajo is no good, of no use at all!” Principal O’Sullivan shouted at us every day. “Only English will help you get ahead in this world!” What message do you think the boarding school was sending Navajo children about their language and their culture? How do you think that made them feel?
The message was that Navajo language was bad and only English should be used. The children felt sad and hurt.
What kind of student was Ned? Did he get good grades? Did he like school?
He was a good student and enjoyed learning
What is one way you could reassure someone?
Answers will vary
What would happen to students if they spoke Navajo at boarding school?
They were beaten, got soap in their mouths, and were thrown in a dark basement with little food and water.
Why did Navajos introduce themselves to other Navajos by using their clan names?
So they would know what clan each other comes from and if they are family.
Despite being told Navajo was bad, Ned still continued to speak Navajo in secret ways. He says, "However, I was stubborn in ways the teachers could not see. I spoke nothing but Navajo whenever I was alone with other Indian students." Why do you think Ned would do this, despite knowing he would be punished if caught?
His language was sacred to him; he didn't want to give up something that was so meaningful to him.
Why were some students, like Tommy Nez, openly defiant and continued to speak Navajo?
They did not want to give up their culture at all.
What does the Navajo word "bilagáanaa" mean?
White
What changes were made to the Navajo children's physical appearances when they entered boarding school?
Their hair was cut off and their clothes and jewelry were taken away. They had to wear military-like uniforms and caps.
Describe Ned using three adjectives. Recall that adjectives are descriptive words like confused, happy, sad, etc. You must back up your answer with an example from the text.
Answers will vary.
At the end of chapter 4, Ned says, "But I had no idea, even in my wildest dreams, that the very language those bilagáanaa teachers tried to erase—the way you wipe words from a blackboard—would one day be needed by important white men." What would the white men use the Navajo language for in the future?
Code talkers for World War II
What name was Ned glad he was NOT named because several of the boys were given that name?
What is the meaning of culture? Give two examples of culture.
knowledge and values shared by a society. Examples include clothing, jewelry, religious beliefs, language, music, food, etc.