(Originally Published in the March 2018 Key Communicators eNewsletter).
Last month (Feb. 2018), the Indian Education Program at Kalmiopsis Elementary School presented two workshops in partnership with the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
UO Outreach Coordinator Mia Jackson led second graders through an exploration of “Oregon’s First Engineers” on Feb. 12, followed by the popular “Investigating Artifacts” workshop for all third-grade classes Feb. 13-14. (This year's workshops will be Feb. 20-22, 2019)
In “Investigating Artifacts” students discussed Native Americans past and present in Oregon, and explored what life was like pre-contact in the various regions of the Pacific Northwest. This included a hands-on activity with artifacts from the museum’s collection including learning about various stone tools for grinding seeds, baskets, clothing, weapons ranging from knives to spears and even an atlatl, fishing implements, games, and more.
“Imagine what it would have been like to live here that long ago? ..” Jackson prompted students. “Think of some things your family would have done to survive if you lived here that long ago.”
Students quickly brainstormed a list ...
… Make a spear
… use an animal skin
… find some water
… make a house
… find different kinds of animals and plants to eat
… make fires for light and cooking
… make a basket
The students first learned to handle the pieces gently and with respect while making their own hypotheses and assumptions of what each item was, the purpose and the materials used to make them.
Students then had a chance to hold the many items brought by Jackson and later, they learned as a class what the items were used for -- discussing their significance based off traditional knowledge accounts shared by Native American tribes and the research of archeological scholars.
Photo: Mia Jackson of the UO Museum of Cultural and Natural History demonstrates how Native Americans used an atlatl to increase the distance over which they can throw a spear.
Indian Education Program Director Sheila Hedenskog coordinates the popular school-wide learning opportunities in addition to her role running student support programs for Native American students. Indian Education programs are special federally-funded activities made available to schools by the Indian Education Programs office of the US Department of Education (USDE). The program is also known as Title VII Indian Education Program services.
Any students in grades kindergarten to 12th grade who have Native American heritage are eligible for the program at no cost, according to Hedenskog. For example, students who are having difficulty in their studies can receive tutoring and if academic support is not a current need, there are other services available.
The Kalmiopsis Elementary Indian Education Program also provides classroom teachers with excellent films, books and other resource materials which are used to enhance the Native American curriculum provided by the school district and can fund Indian Resource Speakers who come into the classroom to share their traditional arts, foods, and cultures.
To obtain an application, register your child for this program or have questions about the program, please call the Indian Education office at 541-469-7417. Find more information.