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Lesson

Exploring Government Powers: Local, State, Tribal, and Federal

Duration
90 min
Published
Jul 5, 2024
Map of the United States highlighting states in shades of orange.
How do different levels of government work together and independently to meet the needs of citizens, and how does this impact the lives of individuals and communities?

Essential Question 

  • How do different levels of government—local, state, tribal, and federal—work together and independently to meet the needs of citizens, and how does this impact the lives of individuals and communities? 

Objectives

  • Students will compare and contrast the powers and responsibilities of local, state, tribal (including specific Native American tribes in Louisiana), and federal governments.  
  • Students will identify the powers, responsibilities, financing, interactions, and citizen engagement of their assigned Native American tribe. 
  • Students will participate in a panel discussion to present their findings and engage in critical dialogue on tribal governance and citizen engagement. 

Materials

Student Resources 

Lesson plan

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More Information

Facilitation Notes 

  • In this lesson on government powers, students will explore and compare the roles and responsibilities of local, state, tribal, and federal governments. They will specifically research the governance structures and citizen engagement practices of four Native American tribes in Louisiana. The lesson involves group research, preparation of presentations, and participation in a panel discussion to critically analyze tribal governance and its interactions with other government levels. Through these activities, students will gain insights into the complexity of federalism and the significance of tribal sovereignty. 

Standards

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