"The Culture of Survival"
Certification Academy for American Indian Traditional Games

Sponsored by:  Int. Traditional Games Society, founded in 1997 by Tribal College Presidents and Cultural Directors of Montana and Southern Alberta

Through the research, resurrection, and restoration of traditional games to Plains Indians tribal cultures, the Traditional Games Society has discovered a window to the past practices of educating American Indian youth for mental, physical, social, and spiritual survival.  Many of those old time games are just as relevant for survival in the modern world. 

200 years ago, the survival of American Indian families, bands, clans, and tribes depended on the youth learning survival skills from older tribal members. 

Some findings:

·        Thousands of old Indian games of intuition & chance created situations to learn body language, observation of the environment, and ways to connect with spirit and power.

·       Physical and mental skills needed for survival were dependent upon early childhood development of neural connections in the brain.  Basic coordination for adult tasks was set before twelve years old. 

In the past, when Indian children were removed from their homes and sent to mission or boarding schools, they came back to their tribes without the culture knowledge but also without the natural skills for successfully protecting and providing for their families.

Certification for teaching traditional Indian games will provide the following:

·        The recommended procedures for researching and restoring traditional games.

·        Connections with advisors, teachers, and coaches who use the games as tools  to educate modern youth.

·       Certification and permission to teach over 60 games which have come into the traditional games' blanket with permission for all people to play.

·        Knowledge that will enhance goals for: healthy life styles, family fun and humor, increased connections with values of the past, social skills, and connections to spirit.                                                       

Who should attend?

Teachers, coaches, and youth leaders who want effective tools to further the education of youth.

Give something back… Become a "traditional games" certified instructor.

Sponsored by: Int. Traditional Games Society, P.O. Box 408, East Glacier Park, Montana 59434  games@traditionalnativegames.org     406-226-9141