Indian Lore Merit Badge Requirements

5 Requirements Updated January 21, 2026 View Official Page ↗ Download Free Pamphlet ↓

Learn about American Indian cultural areas, research a specific tribe's traditions, dwellings, and way of life, and explore indigenous customs to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. Copy link to requirement 1
    Identify the different American Indian cultural areas. Explain what makes them each unique.
  2. Copy link to requirement 2
    Research an American Indian tribe, group, or nation. Tell your counselor about traditional dwellings, way of life, tribal government, religious beliefs, family and clan relationships, language, clothing styles, arts and crafts, food cultivation, foraging and preparation, means of getting around, games, customs in warfare, and where and how they live today.
  3. Copy link to requirement 3
    Do the following:
    1. Copy link to requirement 3.a
      Learn 10 common terms in an American Indian language and their meanings.
    2. Copy link to requirement 3.b
      Identify the meaning of 10 place names of American Indian origin in the United States.
    3. Copy link to requirement 3.c
      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.
  4. Copy link to requirement 4
    Do the following:
    1. Copy link to requirement 4.a
      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.
    2. Copy link to requirement 4.b
      Describe eight things adopted by others from American Indians.
    3. Copy link to requirement 4.c
      Learn a game played by a group or tribe. Teach and lead it with a Scout group.
  5. Copy link to requirement 5
    Do ONE of the following:
    1. Copy link to requirement 5.a
      Visit a museum either in-person or virtually to see American Indian exhibitions and collections. Discuss with your counselor what you observed or learned from two exhibitions and identify 10 artifacts by tribe or nation, their shape, size, and use.
    2. Copy link to requirement 5.b
      Attend a contemporary American Indian gathering. Discuss with your counselor proper etiquette for attending as well as what you learned and observed during your visit.