We have had the privilege and the honor to learn about Native Americans from Native Americans! One of our students is a Cowlitz tribal member and her dad and her grandpa Bob came in several times to tell stories and teach us about how they do things.
Walking sticks
and woven hats
Some of the carved items that hang on their walls at their home
Her grandfather, the Cowlitz tribal carver, came in to show us his tools
and some of the things he has carved.
It starts with a block of old growth cedar which is hard to come by these days. We watched how easy it is to make thin planks out of the wood.
Bob told us how he has an "abundance" of cedar to share with others, the mindset and a value we have discovered that many Native Americans have.
Using all our senses - it smells so good!
Carving a feather for us. The trick is to pull the tool toward you.
We were each gifted a carved feather and three grades of sand paper.
The goal was to make a very smooth feather.
So we sanded and sanded and sanded.
Thank you, Grandpa Bob, for the feathers and for coming in and showing us how to carve.
We all gained an appreciation for the tall cedar trees that can be carved into beautiful things.
The Navigators and the Gemstones enjoyed trying out the drum.
What a great opportunity to experience the Native American culture up close and personal!
Thank you, Bob and Danial!
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