 Indian Lore
This Merit Badge requires 2 sessions to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Indian Lore merit badge are: 2, 3, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Indian Lore Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
1. |
Identify the different American Indian cultural
areas. Explain what makes them each unique. |
2. |
Give the history of one American Indian tribe,
group, or nation that lives or has lived near
you. Visit it, if possible. Tell about
traditional dwellings, way of life, tribal
government, religious beliefs, family and clan
relationships, language, clothing styles, arts
and crafts, food preparation, means of getting
around, games, customs in warfare, where members
of the group now live, and how they live. |
3. |
Do TWO of the following. Focus on a specific group
or tribe. |
| a. |
Make an item of clothing worn by members of the
tribe. |
| b. |
Make and decorate three items used by the tribe,
as approved by your counselor. |
| c. |
Make an authentic model of a dwelling used by an
Indian tribe, group, or nation. |
| d. |
Visit a museum to see Indian artifacts. Discuss
them with your counselor. Identify at least 10
artifacts by tribe or nation, their shape, size,
and use. |
4. |
Do ONE of the following: |
| a. |
Learn three games played by a group or tribe.
Teach and lead one game with a Scout group. |
| b. |
Learn and show how a tribe traditionally cooked or
prepared food. Make three food items. |
| c. |
Give a demonstration showing how a specific Indian
group traditionally hunted, fished, or trapped. |
5. |
Do ONE of the following: |
| a. |
Write or briefly describe how life might have been
different for the European settlers if there had
been no native Americans to meet them when they
came to this continent. |
| b. |
Sing two songs in an Indian language. Explain
their meaning. |
| c. |
Learn in an Indian language at least 25 common
terms and their meanings. |
| d. |
Show 25 signs in Indian sign language. Include
those that will help you ask for water, for food,
and where the path or road leads. |
| e. |
Learn an Indian story of up to 300 words (or
several shorter stories adding up to no more than
300 words). Tell the story or stories at a Scout
gathering or campfire. |
| f. |
Write or tell about eight things adopted by others
from American Indians. |
| g. |
Learn 25 Indian place names. Tell their origins
and meanings. |
| h. |
Name five well-known American Indian leaders,
either from the past or people of today. Give
their tribes or nations. Describe what they did
or do now that makes them notable. |
| i. |
Attend a contemporary American Indian gathering.
Discuss with your counselor what you learned and
observed. Include in your discussion any singing,
dancing, drumming, and the various men's and
women's dance styles you saw. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2026"
Download the workbook for the
Indian Lore Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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