Native Arts and Crafts

I find it so remarkable at the amount of inservice our district provides and allows. In January, I spent nine nights in Anchorage at the state special education conference. It was a good conference and provided a great deal of information concerning the rules and regulations to govern special education.


This past weekend I went to an art retreat in Bethel. This conference was quite different. It was about Alaskan Native Arts and Culture. It was not a lecture-based conference but rather a participatory conference. We were expected to not only learn how to make Native art but actually produce sample pieces for our culminating activity - an art show. These are the pieces I created.


There were four areas we studied: making baskets, beading necklaces, creating Eskimo yo yos, and carving wooden spoons. We spent three hours in each session. However, three hours just wasn't enough time for me. I think I could have spent an entire day in each session. It was so much fun!


Each activity was difficult but also relaxing to do. I started with basketmaking. We were given rope and a variety of yarn. To make the basket, we simply wound the yarn around the rope. I used two types of yarn, a brown and a multi-colored. Unfortunately, you can't sit and talk while you work. You have to count the number of times you wrap the yarn around the rope in order to create your pattern. It was fun to do. Here's my group hard at work while another teacher Mary shows us her spoon. Would I do this art project again? YES!



Next I was off to beading. I was so excited to do this. We have a beading group at school that I would love to join. Our instructor Sara told us to choose our bead colors, our larger bone/stone pieces, cut our sinew to length, and plan our pattern. It didn't take long to do. Within three hours I had a necklace. Sara brought a beautiful necklace she had made. The ivory in this piece was cut by her father. It was such a perfect piece of work. When I looked at everyone's necklaces, they were all beautiful. I was very impressed. Would I do this art project again? YES!




The next day began round two of our Alaskan Native arts lessons. Now, I was to make an Eskimo yo yo. I chose my skin and traced my pattern. Then, I sewed and stuffed my two little mittens. I attached them with twine and that was that! I had an Eskimo yo yo. This photo is a sample that one of the Yup'ik teachers made. Would I do this again? Probably not, but I'm thrilled with my yo yo.



Last, I had my chance to make a wooden spoon. Scary! I couldn't picture myself with such a sharp knife. It took a while, but I got used to the rhythm of the knife and the feel of the wood. It was actually fun to do. I learned to relax and let the knife do all of the work. You can definitely feel the flow of the grain in the wood as you work. Here I am working with my instructor Mike. My spoon is far from perfect, but I like it. Would I do this again? Maybe. I'm just not certain I want to invest in wood carving knifes. Ah, but who knows? Maybe some day I will.


We returned to the village Saturday evening to find a fresh layer of snow - perhaps two inches. Our principal Carl came to pick us up. I was glad to see him. I love that little white truck. When I see that little white truck, I know I will be warm all the way home - no snow machine ride for me! What a great weekend! I learned so much and had so much fun. This was undoubtedly one of the best retreats I've ever attended. (In the photo: Bev and Carl Williams, Vicki and Critter)