Distance Learning
- Grade Level:
- High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- Common Core Standards:
- 9-10.SL.1, 9-10.SL.1.a, 9-10.SL.1.b, 9-10.SL.1.c, 9-10.SL.1.d, 9-10.SL.2, 9-10.SL.3, 9-10.SL.4, 9-10.SL.5, 9-10.SL.6, 11-12.SL.1, 11-12.SL.1.a, 11-12.SL.1.b, 11-12.SL.1.c, 11-12.SL.1.d, 11-12.SL.2, 11-12.SL.3, 11-12.SL.4, 11-12.SL.5, 11-12.SL.6
The Homestead Act of 1862 had far reaching impacts on the United States including western expansion, immigration, and technological innovation. The impacts of the Act also extended to those Native American Tribes who already called the West home. The American bison or “buffalo” was sacred to many Native American Tribes. The animals played an integral part in all aspects of daily life. In this lesson a Park Ranger will use real parts of the buffalo to examine the different ways Native American Tribes utilized the sacred animal.
Program Format:
- This program begins with a brief introduction to the National Park Service.
- Discussion of the Homestead Act of 1862.
- Native American uses of the buffalo.
- Summary and questions.
Objectives:
- Explore the Native American use of the buffalo.
- Discuss the Homestead Act of 1862.
How to Participate:
Homestead National Historical Park participates in video calls to provide our distance learning opportunities. We partner with the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) to schedule programs. CILC accounts are free, and there is no charge for any of our programs.
Register a program using CILC (select "Homestead National Historical Park" from the Content Provider field to discover all our program offerings).
If you are unable to register through CILC, please call our Education Specialist at (402) 223-3514 or send them an e-mail.
Last updated: January 29, 2026