Nature Net News
November 2004
Native Wisconsinites
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"Man
did not weave the web of life - he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself"
|
|
Dear Reader,
During this month of harvest and seasonal changes, we are reminded of the resourcefulness of early peoples living on the land. Years ago, people made everything they needed. Instead of going to the store, they fashioned what they needed from local materials. Instead of turning on the furnace, they learned ways to make the best of what nature had to offer. Native Americans were particularly resourceful in finding materials to use and finding innovative ways to use them. It's no surprise some of their ways have become an important part of many cultures. Come celebrate this legacy with the activities listed here and by visiting the local sites featured in this edition of Nature Net News. You'll join us in giving thanks for the great bounty in Wisconsin! Kathe
and Betsy |
There are twelve Indian nations that live in Wisconsin? The Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Potawatomi, Oneida, Mohican, Brothertown, and six Bands of Ojibwe!
What to do this month:
Visit Cherokee Marsh's or Aldo
Leopold Nature Center's Native American burial mounds.
Make popcorn like Quadequina, brother of the Wampanoag chief Massasoit, who brought popped corn to the first Thanksgiving celebration.
Check out family events at area Nature Net sites!
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
While exploring nature with
children can be a very exciting and “dynamic” process, sometimes it is
worthwhile to slow down and become quiet
in order to see some of nature’s shy creatures.
One way to minimize boisterousness is to emulate a walk used by early inhabitants of this region – those who observed nature and
were dependent upon it for food and enjoyment.
Practice indoors first, then try it when you’re on the trail.
(Parents, you may find this newfound ‘skill’ handy
to call upon in other situations, as well!)
This is best learned without shoes and socks.
Explain to your child they will learn to walk "quiet as a
fox". Start
with a very slow, short step,
coming down gently on the outside of the descending foot. Now,
slowly roll the foot inward until the foot is level.
At this point, the sole of the foot should be only lightly touching
the ground. Before shifting
full weight onto the foot, feel for twigs,
leaves, or other objects that might make a noise.
If there are none, slowly shift weight onto the lead
foot and repeat the process with the second foot.
Remind your "quiet fox" if they do this silently, creatures
will feel more comfortable coming into the open. And by taking short steps, they’ll have better balance
and can thus give more attention to looking for animals.
Adapted from Sharing Nature with Children II by Joseph Cornell.
Instant
Outdoor Expert:
Native American culture in Wisconsin
is rich in history - both traditional and modern. Visit the
Milwaukee Public Museum Indian Country
website to find out more!
Suggested Reading:
"The Keepers of the Earth" by Michael J. Caduto,
et al
"Native People of Wisconsin (New Badger History)" by Patty Loew
Featured Nature Net Site
Nature Craft
MacKenzie
Environmental Education Center
The MacKenzie Center is one of the most complete environmental
education centers in Wisconsin. The Center in situated on 280 acres
of rolling fields and forest land. MacKenzie is a wonderful place
for family outings, picnics and out of the classroom adventures.
The Center features
an exhibit of live Wisconsin
wildlife, self-guided hikes and trails, museums,
a fire tower, a picnic area
and more. Be sure to see the MacKenzie Center's living collection of
native Wisconsin wildlife
- on exhibit
year-round! See and learn about
many of the animals that were important to Native
American life, including deer, bison, wolf,
eagle, mountain lion, lynx, turkey and much more. Get up close to
animals you have probably only read about or watched on television.
A learning experience and great fun for the entire family.
Whether
on your own, with your family and friends, or as an organized group, you
can enjoy and learn about resource management in Wisconsin.
Medicine
BagA pouch made of deer skin and filled with items believed to have medicinal properties were a common accessory to many Wisconsin Natives' attire. These "charms", were use as a means of assuring good fortune in hunting, fishing, trapping, gambling, war, and love. They also were believed to protect people from disease or bodily injury.
You can make your Medicine Bag by cutting felt or leather into an 8 by 18 inch piece. Fold the bottom edge of the felt up 6 1/2 inches to form a pocket. Next, machine or hand sew the sides together to seal the pocket's sides and fold the extra material from the top down to form a flap (similar to an envelop). If you would like a handle, sew an 18 to 30 inch piece of ribbon to the top sides of the medicine bag. Now you can decorate your medicine bag with beads (try drawing out a pattern first).
Native Americans
used the following items inside their pouches:
Flagroot: to keep away snakes.
Dogbane: to protect against evil influence or against bad medicine.
Seneca snakeroot: for safety on a journey.
Milkwort: for general health.
(Nature Craft idea from Gay Miller's 5th and 6th Grade Students 2000-2001 School Year and Medicine Bag content list from Milwaukee Public Museum)
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