Research Plan

For our research project our group desided on the Aleuts which are distant relatives of the coastal Eskimos.  We have broke our project into four different sections culture, art, traditions, dance, and clothing.  I picked clothing, because I am amazed at the materials they use to make these garmets.  My question is what can I learn about the overall culture of the Aleuts.  So far in my research I have found that they make alot of different clothes from fur-seal, so it seems that nothing is wasted because that is also one of the meats they eat also.  My questions as I go into my research further are:

1. What tools and materials were used to make the clothing?
2. How did they make their dyes?
3. Who was in charge of making clothes?
4. Why they rarely wore pants?

I envision my audience as being college students researching new information on this subject and possibly people searching sites looking for false documentation.  My question is important to me because I think it is interesting to learn about the cultures of different people.  I think that everyone should know who their ancestors are and learn past and present values and customs so we can pass it down to the next generation. 
I think that the question will be important to anyone reading our site for the same reasons.

As I said my job to the group is to find as much information that I can on the clothing that was worn then and now by the Aleute's.  My responsiblity to the group wike is to write my part of the essay to be incorporated into the final paper.

I have started Googling and searching the web for information.  My next step is to go to the library and look for books on Alaska history, Aleute.  I am also going to search the Alaska digital archives, and maybe find some videos.

Our group is going to meet this Sunday so we can work on the research prospectus.  We will also discuss a time schedule, and set a timetable so we are all on the same page so to speak.

I feel more confident about this as I just dive into it.  I am concerned about not being able to find the information that I need, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

I am part Cherokee, and for years I have been wanting to research my ancestors but have just put it off.  This assignment has inspired me to do it, because I am the only one that can pass this information on to my son.