Thank you for your interest in Native American Perspectives.
Native American Perspectives is an educational program
about the land, the animals, and the people of North America;
our continent, our land, our home.
Our goal is to promote an appreciation and a better understanding of
America's natural environment, native wildlife, and historic past.
Dressed in clothing of the western plains of the 1800's,
our teachers are on the road everyday
visiting schools, museums, and other interested groups,
presenting programs concerning
Native American culture and early American history,
using tipis as our classrooms.
Although tipis are only representative of the people of the plains,
they do dominate our image of native peoples.
Once inside, however,a much more complex world unfolds.
To help break down long perpetuated stereotypes
there are three major points included in each presentation:
1. A comparison of the terms "Indians" and "Native Americans",
where they came from, how they may be used;
2. Native peoples did not all live in the same fashion;
3. Native Americans are still among us to this very day.
The name of our program,
Native American Perspectives,
may be confusing at first; but all it really means is
"Can you look at things and see them the way they did long ago?"
During the school year
Native American Perspectives
visits approximately 150 schools
reaching fifty thousand students.
During the summer months
we work a limited schedule
visiting museums, libraries, and summer camps.
This allows time for research and development.
Much of the summer finds us on the road
searching out exciting new additions
for our traveling collection
and establishing contacts
that broaden our understanding
of the diverse communities
that make up the Native American Perspective.
We also use this time
to manufacture our reproduction clothing
which will be worn during the upcoming year.
Throughout the year
we are involved with special programs
to better understand, and help others understand,
the history of our land, its people, the wildlife,
and their interdependence.
These experiences are not confined to the classroom,
but include time living in the environment
in the ways of the ancestors.
The program which reaches you
truly reflects thousands of miles of travel,
years of research, and a deep commitment on the part of your presenter.
35 Hill Street
Lakeville, MA 02347-1717
(508) 947 1642
NatAmPer@aol.com
PROGRAM
Enter a tipi,
sit around a buffalo rug,
experience Native American Perspectives
Native American Perspectives is not a large group assembly program;
it is an interactive learning experience.
We work with one classroom at a time for the same reason that your teachers do.
It is educationally most effective. In this way we reach every student.
As we offer only day long programs, we are working with a division problem; "how do we best divide up your day?"
We create a customized program that best meets the needs of your school.
We offer two types of programs:
Maximum Coverage: more classes (up to ten per day), shorter time per class (minimum 30 minutes)
Maximum Content: fewer classes, longer time, more in depth experience
As the circumstance of each program is different, further information specific to your situation,
will be discussed prior to your visit.
There are only three things necessary for a successful visit:
1. a place to put the tipi
2. a schedule
3. the program
1. Area requirements: 20' x 20' of floor space; at least 13' ceiling clearance; Location conducive to learning.
The controlled environment of an indoor location is preferred. On occasion, weather permitting, the tipi may be set up out of doors;
however, wind and ground conditions must be taken into consideration.
We reserve the right to make the final decision.
We will not trade convenience for the well being of the students or presenter.
An indoor option must be available.
2. We work with one classroom at a time. The amount of time spent with each class depends on the number of classes participating in the program. Minimum time required: 30 minutes per class.
3.We will provide grade appropriate topic, or teachers may chose a topic if they wish.
The building blocks of our program:
* Native American Legend
*Tipi Life
*Native American Games
*Furs and Bones
*Plains/Northeast Woodlands, compare and contrast
*Pre and Post Contact: a Changing Way of Life
*Interpreting Artifacts, the Importance of Where and When
*Culture Regions
*Setting Up the Tipi (workshop) 1 hour
This is an unique program; education at its best. While greatly entertaining, education is our main objective.
A program developed by certified teachers, responsible to the goals and philosophies of education.
We wish to join you in the educational process
and invite you to join us in providing your students with an experience they will long remember.
We hope that their interest does not end after the program is over,
but begins a lifetime of interest in regard to the first people to be here in what we now call "America".
New in 2011/2012
Second Tipi and Workshop Options
The Second Tipi Option enables us to put an additional tipi and an additional presenter into your school.
Benefits: Eases the demand on your facility.
We can provide a full day's program in half a day.
Multi Day programs can be completed in half the time reducing your transportation fee.
Workshops: Back by popular demand, we are able to once again offer our workshops.
*Bead Making: A lesson in history and symmetry. Each student strings a beaded necklace.
*Shield Making: Explores universal symbolism, transitioning to personal symbolism, relating to how Native Americans designed their shields, culminating in each student designing their own shield.
*Native American Dance: Students learn the basics of Native American Dance by participating in simple story dances.
Long time staff member, Cathy, will be joining the outreach program this year. Cathy, an original member of the Native American Perspectives team, has only been able to work part time doing some programs in the field but has primarily dedicated her time to research, curriculum development, and acquisitions. To help with the high demand for the Native American Perspectives program, she is happy to join us on the road this year.