The educational materials in this resource guide were developed from information collected from the 1991 and 1994 Festival of American Folklife programs held at the National Mall in Washington, DC. The festivals were held in connection with the 500th anniversary of Spanish contact with the Americas and were celebrations of the diversity and persistence of "America's First People." The guide provides an opportunity for teachers and students to learn how native cultures in North and South America have sustained themselves through unique partnerships with their environments for thousands of years. It features cultural groups who came to the festivals from three geographic areas the Hopi of northern Arizona; the Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Haida of southeast Alaska; and the Aymara and Quechua of the Peruvian and Bolivian Andean regions. Materials in the guide support four primary learning goals: to deepen students' understanding of Native American cultures and respect for cultural differences; to teach young people about traditional Native American relationships with the earth and its ecosystems; to teach young people about the importance of stewardship of the earth and its resources; and to help students become skilled at observing, analyzing, and reporting the characteristics of cultural groups. The guide contains informative essays, suggestions for teachers, student activities, and many resources. Following an introduction, the guide is divided into "Knowledge of the Land"; "Art and Identity"; "The Power of Stories"; "Ritual and Ceremony"; "Stewardship and Reciprocity"; and "Resources." The resource section features works consulted, suggested references, and a slide set. (BT)