good workshops

I had a terrific time yesterday and today with grades 5-7 students.
While one 'clan' enjoyed learning from the variety of centres: turtle calendar puzzles, word play/language tools with stamps for Oneida words, Travel Turtle Island game and others, my group made corn husk dolls or wampum strings over the two days. Students were respectful and I trust we made good friendships. [shout out to Kaswentha]. I'll be curious to know what their responses will be to the short questionaire I left. Thanks so much to the teachers who invited me and the students who were also so gracious ;).

When we brought the tree in, the weather was freezing, so I also wanted to bring in the ceramic turtle I'd had in the garden. It seemed natural to place it under the tree ... just need the eagle atop now eh? I usually bring in a cedar for xmas season but this year we came upon this 'pine' at the right price, so now we have the symbol that is so familiar to Hotenoshone: the white pine, the symbol of peace, our medicine atop 'turtle island'/N. America. Now I'd like to make the clans and other symbols to hang on the tree ... elements of our opening address: K^tsyokhwa/the people, Yukhinu:lha/Mother Earth, Onu'kwat/medicines etc.

Wasu:tehs

What a great weekend ;) ... met more neighbours and enjoyed family and friends who dropped by during open house ...and yummy Indian cookies!
After making more cookies this morning, it was time to get back to making more iris folded and layered cards for family & friends this Wasu:tehs /Long Nights, a season for storytelling and giving.

These are some of the cool bone beads and turquoise I purchased in T.O. I've turned the beads into these beautiful bracelets and necklaces shown here ... look forward to the "studio sale" this Sat. & Sun. Dec. 3 & 4 10 - 2 [-ish as the kids say] ... hope to have fresh Indian cookies too!