Since Browning Middle School teachers researched the "Blackfeet Children's Games" in 1990, many communities in Montana have found that the nature of games brings joy to classroom learning and to community events.
The American Indian games involved stories, crafting, values, history, and play. The subject areas for learning cross over from Health Enhancement into math, art/crafting, music, social studies, and science.
"Indian Education for All" challenges us to find a framework for those who have not been exposed to Indian culture or history.
Non-native teachers have found entrance to Indian culture & history through traditional games certification clinics because there is multiage involvement, native and non-native participants, and tribal & non-tribal certification teachers.
References & Testimonials:
Certification Clinic at Wolf Point, October, 2006 (pre-school, k-12, & college teachers) - Sonya Smoker-St.Marks (Frazer, MT) "I am so impressed and appreciative with what your society is doing! Traditional Games Society is helping everyone to understand the traditional ways and culture. It's exposing the people, young and old, to ways that haven't been practiced for many years. It's giving us a sense of belonging and pride because these ways come from our customs and traditions. "Pinamiya" thank you.
Ruth Shortbull, Wolf Point Schools - 406-653-1622
Robert Murray, Chair of Montana Indian School Boards Association - 406-768-5275
Jan Tompson, Mt. Assoc. for Supervision and Curriculum Development - 406-453-6242
Benita Plainfeather, Director of Diabetes Program, Ft. Belknap - 406-353-2297
Ken "Tuffy" Helgeson, Hays-Lodgepole - 406-673-3524
Honoring & Teaching Traditional Native Games A Means For The Survival Of First Nation People's Culture
