Lincoln (Neb.) - Dec. 8, 1999 - Open the buffalo-skin box and step into the world of the Ponca, where buffaloes' bladders are used to carry water and medicine, and buffalo bones are babies' teething toys.
In the world of the Santee, one can encounter the arts of the Dakota, where star quilts, beaded chokers and dream catchers show the elegance of the tribe's artistry, the Wacipi pow wow is experienced, and the Dakota language is heard.
These experiences and many others are available to Nebraska children now through two new Tribal Encounter educational kits offered through a joint effort of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs and the University of Nebraska State Museum.
The kits were developed by representatives from the Ponca and Santee tribes, in collaboration with the NU State Museum. Containing resources and educational activities on the unique history and rich culture of the tribes, the encounter kit activities create an authentic and interactive learning experience for students, and present the vibrant and growing cultures of Native Americans.
"These kits are a reflection of the cultures of these tribes, their history and their arts," said Judi Morgan, executive director of the Commission on Indian Affairs. "A lot of people have never been on a reservation or been exposed to these cultures, and these kits give a hands-on experience and an awareness of these cultures and tribal history."
The kits are intended for classroom use among fourth- through eighth-graders, but could also be educational for younger students. Each kit contains five sections of activities that teachers integrate into their classroom curriculum. Books, videos, artifacts, oral histories, dramatic readings, audio tapes, coloring books and games are part of the variety of materials included in the tribal educational kits.
"What's special about these kits as an educational resource is the fact that one can experience tribal culture from the tribe's perspective," said Judy Diamond, assistant director for public programs at the NU State Museum. "These experiences can be through many modalities: songs, dances, art, oral histories, and provide hands-on, inquiry-based learning, which encourages kids to think on their own."
The tribes themselves suggested which materials to place in the kits, which resources would be used and which literature would accompany stories such as the Trial of Standing Bear, and the Great Sioux Uprising of 1862. Tribe members provided oral histories, made star quilts, provided recipes and suggested questions and answers for tribal "jeopardy" game.
"The tribal representatives served as the primary developers of the kits, writing the activities, suggesting materials, and creating activities," Diamond said. The Ponca kit was developed by Phil Wendzillo, director of cultural affairs for the Ponca tribe, and the Santee kit was developed by Linda Wipple of the Santee tribe and Morgan and M. Sue Settell of the Commission on Indian Affairs.
The tribes' perspective on the historic elements of the kits was essential, Diamond and Morgan said.
"There are definitely books out there that are supposed to be historical but are actually more fiction than fact," said Wendzillo. In addition to selecting the literature, Wendzillo tells stories on video about the history of the Ponca, the Legend of the Butterfly, Legend of the Sacred Pole and the Legend of the Smoke Maker. Nebraska Educational Television provided existing and original video productions.
The Ponca encounter kit includes a box made from buffalo hide created by the Intertribal Bison Cooperative, and contains buffalo artifacts that encourage touching: hooves, hide, bone, teeth and other resources that teach that the Ponca used the buffalo in its entirety as its staple. A thin, dry buffalo bladder membrane is touchable and shows how the Ponca used it to fill and carry with water and medicine.
Three sets of each of the Ponca and Santee kits have been made: one for the tribe, and two for educators to check out and share. Educational kits were developed with the Omaha and Winnebago tribes several years ago and are still available through the museum, having been used often since their development.
The Santee and Ponca kit project was initiated by the Commission on Indian Affairs, supported by resolutions from the tribes, and made possible with funding by the Nebraska Humanities Council to the NU State Museum, which coordinated the effort.
"This is a very important step for the State Museum to increase cultural sensitivity, and we hope to be able to continue to collaborate with the tribes and support their efforts to be better understood," Diamond said. "The Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs has been a vital force in making this whole process possible."
Wendzillo said the kits will be an excellent teaching tool and a way for the tribes to increase their cultural awareness.
"My hope would be that with at least one tribal kit could be used at one time or another in the schools once during each child's education, and that the kits will continue to evolve and be updated," he said.
Teachers: To order an encounter kit, contact Dana Esbensen
at (402) 472-6302. The kits are available for $10 per week plus
return shipping, and will be shipped directly to schools.
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For questions regarding these releases, contact:
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(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825