One of the many things I like about Cub Scouts is that it promotes family participation. When a boy receives an award, his family is a part of the ceremony. A parent has to attend and participate in every meeting. And, best of all, the parents share in the planning and organization of the meetings.
At our last meeting, I got to relax and enjoy our gathering as one of the other moms had prepared everything. Taking her cue from November’s Indian Nations program in the Cub Scouts Program Helps, she organized activities to help the boys learn about the native culture of our area. For us, that means learning about the Iroquois.
The boys brought shoe boxes, twigs, and leaves that they used to construct models of Iroquois longhouses. Some of the boys carefully followed the instructions, while others figured out their own way to construct a longhouse. They all enjoyed working together, and yet independently, to construct their own vision of how native peoples lived long ago in New York.
Then, we gathered around the fire (a living room wood stove) to share stories. We took turns reading the poems in the beautifully illustrated, Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back. Joseph Bruchac, a local author, shares an Abenaki storyteller’s account of how the scales on Old Turtle’s back represent the thirteen moons of the year. Each moon has a specific name and story that correlates to its place in the calendar. My family loves all of Joseph Bruchac’s, and son James, children’s books but this one is particularly beautiful. Since my son and I have also had the privilege of hearing the Bruchacs tell tales to groups of children, I can’t help but hear a chanting sing-song voice in this book of poetry.
Here are a few resources to learn more about Native Americans:
- Iroquois Indian Museum - Visit this “anthropological museum that uses art to educate and inspire” in Howe Cave, NY and/or rent an education kit or click on the electronic longhouse.
- Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center - Celebrate the Winter Solstice at the museum and/or learn from the classroom activities, enrichment programs, or scouting programs.
- The Institute for American Indian Studies -Visit the museum and/or learn from the education programs or scouting programs.
- The National Museum of the American Indian - Even if you can’t visit this mammoth new museum in Washington, D.C. take a look at the guides in the programs for educators.
- Bibliography of Children’s Books on Native Americans.
Do you know a great site for learning about Native Americans? Please post a comment.
Related Cub Scout Posts:
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