Activities
There is so much information I could cover with an audience about Native American culture. However, I only have ten minutes to one hour with any audience. As a result, I give samples of many different subjects in order to give people some appreciation of the heritage of the Native Americans we all share because we live on this continent. Here are some of those subjects and what I cover:
Sign language participation
During my interpreter sessions, I show my audiences basic signs that Native Americans and European explorers used to communicate with each other. Then I engage them in a simple conversation that First People and white people might have conducted over a campfire.
For example, I show signs for simple greetings and the intention that a trade or bartering is going to take place. Then I show signs for simple objects that these people might have traded, such gunpowder and beaver pelts.
After demonstrating a conversation between the traders, I act as one side of the conversation and the audience the other. We conduct the encounter entirely in sign language.
At the end of my sessions, I also show signs for a Native American blessing and get people to mimic them. This tends to please people all of religious persuasions.
Music and dancing participation
Getting audiences involved in making Native American music and dancing keeps them engaged, which is my objective in working with audiences. Once I demonstrate the four-beat rhythm on the drum and rattles, everyone wants to see if they can do it because it’s something new for most of them.
I chant Native American melodies to the rhythm. Adding a vocal component makes the sound all the more enchanting.
People pick up the Native American dance step fairly quickly. Adults are usually unwilling to join the circle, but children thrill to it. The drum and rattle rhythm and the chanting seem to keep them going.
The Native American flute is an entirely different aspect of music. People are entranced by the sound. I don’t invite them to play my flutes because this is a difficult skill to learn. I play music I have learned from other flute players using a variety of flutes I have acquired over time.
Bow and arrow demonstration
If weather permits me to be out of doors with my audiences, I demonstrate shooting my primitive bows and arrows. I shoot my arrows at animal targets made from styrofoam and backed by bales of hay or straw. I shoot at a distance of about 20 feet for safety purposes. If weather does not permit and we’re indoors, I don’t shoot arrows.
In either case, I explain how the bow succeeded the atlatl as the Native American hunter’s weapon of choice. I briefly discuss how I use authentic methods and materials as much as possible to create an artifact that is faithful to the spirit, design, and tradition of the original artisans. Then I string the bow, an act which by itself is an eye opener for many people.
Story telling
As of 2016, telling Native American stories and legends is a new component of my interpretative practice. I’m incorporating them into my practice to show my audiences how myths and legends became the mythology of Native American culture. In one or two ten-minute stories, I try to convey the spirit and belief they had that something greater than themselves controlled the universe.
I don’t attempt to alarm or frighten my audiences in any way with these stories. Rather, I try to show that every living thing on the earth contributed to the world as we know it.
Although my stories are children-oriented, they will appeal to people of all ages. They typify the character, courage, and skills of the Native American Indian.
Wickiup construction participation
The wickiup is a small structure Native Americans lived in for a short period of time. For example, Eastern Woodland Indians lived in wickiups during the wintertime when they away from their villages harvesting sap from sugar maple trees.
One year, Cleveland Metroparks asked me to build a wickiup for a demonstration at the annual maple sugar festival. I collected the necessary materials and built the structure with volunteer help. Visitors to the festival learned how Native Americans survived using wickiups during the critical time of the maple sugar season.
Another time, Cleveland Metroparks asked me to show young people primitive techniques during a summer camp. With my help, they built a wickiup on their own.
I find that getting people involved in doing something like this enhances their learning and develops teamwork and confidence.
Sign language participation
During my interpreter sessions, I show my audiences basic signs that Native Americans and European explorers used to communicate with each other. Then I engage them in a simple conversation that First People and white people might have conducted over a campfire.
For example, I show signs for simple greetings and the intention that a trade or bartering is going to take place. Then I show signs for simple objects that these people might have traded, such gunpowder and beaver pelts.
After demonstrating a conversation between the traders, I act as one side of the conversation and the audience the other. We conduct the encounter entirely in sign language.
At the end of my sessions, I also show signs for a Native American blessing and get people to mimic them. This tends to please people all of religious persuasions.
Music and dancing participation
Getting audiences involved in making Native American music and dancing keeps them engaged, which is my objective in working with audiences. Once I demonstrate the four-beat rhythm on the drum and rattles, everyone wants to see if they can do it because it’s something new for most of them.
I chant Native American melodies to the rhythm. Adding a vocal component makes the sound all the more enchanting.
People pick up the Native American dance step fairly quickly. Adults are usually unwilling to join the circle, but children thrill to it. The drum and rattle rhythm and the chanting seem to keep them going.
The Native American flute is an entirely different aspect of music. People are entranced by the sound. I don’t invite them to play my flutes because this is a difficult skill to learn. I play music I have learned from other flute players using a variety of flutes I have acquired over time.
Bow and arrow demonstration
If weather permits me to be out of doors with my audiences, I demonstrate shooting my primitive bows and arrows. I shoot my arrows at animal targets made from styrofoam and backed by bales of hay or straw. I shoot at a distance of about 20 feet for safety purposes. If weather does not permit and we’re indoors, I don’t shoot arrows.
In either case, I explain how the bow succeeded the atlatl as the Native American hunter’s weapon of choice. I briefly discuss how I use authentic methods and materials as much as possible to create an artifact that is faithful to the spirit, design, and tradition of the original artisans. Then I string the bow, an act which by itself is an eye opener for many people.
Story telling
As of 2016, telling Native American stories and legends is a new component of my interpretative practice. I’m incorporating them into my practice to show my audiences how myths and legends became the mythology of Native American culture. In one or two ten-minute stories, I try to convey the spirit and belief they had that something greater than themselves controlled the universe.
I don’t attempt to alarm or frighten my audiences in any way with these stories. Rather, I try to show that every living thing on the earth contributed to the world as we know it.
Although my stories are children-oriented, they will appeal to people of all ages. They typify the character, courage, and skills of the Native American Indian.
Wickiup construction participation
The wickiup is a small structure Native Americans lived in for a short period of time. For example, Eastern Woodland Indians lived in wickiups during the wintertime when they away from their villages harvesting sap from sugar maple trees.
One year, Cleveland Metroparks asked me to build a wickiup for a demonstration at the annual maple sugar festival. I collected the necessary materials and built the structure with volunteer help. Visitors to the festival learned how Native Americans survived using wickiups during the critical time of the maple sugar season.
Another time, Cleveland Metroparks asked me to show young people primitive techniques during a summer camp. With my help, they built a wickiup on their own.
I find that getting people involved in doing something like this enhances their learning and develops teamwork and confidence.
