Post by blackcrowheart on Mar 31, 2008 13:50:55 GMT -5
An ancient art
By ANGELA BRANDT - Independent Record - 03/27/08
Eliza Wiley IR Photo Editor - Blackfeet tribe member Richard Horn, talks about the importance of native games to their culture yesterday and today. Horn helped to kick off the Native games clinic being held this week at Helena High School.
To Richard Horn, traditional games are not only fun but also teach life and hunting skills.
Horn, a traditional games instructor and member of the Blackfeet Tribe, spoke with participants of an International Traditional Games Society clinic Wednesday afternoon at the Helena Indian Alliance.
Games are an opportunity to share knowledge and time with one another, Horn said.
“All of my kids have learned and played traditional games,” Horn told the group.
Many of the games, including throwing arrows, teach children how to hunt, he said. Everything from dolls to feather darts allows children to learn about the animals.
Once a child learns how to recognize an animal by playing with the doll, the child can work on their hunting techniques through throwing darts and arrows, Horn said. They can then progress to putting tips on the arrows with horns and antlers.
Practicing not only increases their skill but also allows for quality time with their family and peers, he said.
His audience included teachers from all across the state in addition to tribal health and wellness officials, members of the National Park Service and museum employees. In all there are 56 participants in the clinic, according to DeeAnna Leader, executive director of the International Traditional Games Society. While this is the first time the clinic has been held in Helena, the Society gives the clinic about once a month in Montana and neighboring states, she said.
The four-day clinic continues at Helena High School today with games shown and played in the gym and on the football field. On Friday and Saturday, participants will learn to craft the tools utilized in the games.
Reporter Angela Brandt: 447-4078 or angela.brandt@helenair.com
By ANGELA BRANDT - Independent Record - 03/27/08
Eliza Wiley IR Photo Editor - Blackfeet tribe member Richard Horn, talks about the importance of native games to their culture yesterday and today. Horn helped to kick off the Native games clinic being held this week at Helena High School.
To Richard Horn, traditional games are not only fun but also teach life and hunting skills.
Horn, a traditional games instructor and member of the Blackfeet Tribe, spoke with participants of an International Traditional Games Society clinic Wednesday afternoon at the Helena Indian Alliance.
Games are an opportunity to share knowledge and time with one another, Horn said.
“All of my kids have learned and played traditional games,” Horn told the group.
Many of the games, including throwing arrows, teach children how to hunt, he said. Everything from dolls to feather darts allows children to learn about the animals.
Once a child learns how to recognize an animal by playing with the doll, the child can work on their hunting techniques through throwing darts and arrows, Horn said. They can then progress to putting tips on the arrows with horns and antlers.
Practicing not only increases their skill but also allows for quality time with their family and peers, he said.
His audience included teachers from all across the state in addition to tribal health and wellness officials, members of the National Park Service and museum employees. In all there are 56 participants in the clinic, according to DeeAnna Leader, executive director of the International Traditional Games Society. While this is the first time the clinic has been held in Helena, the Society gives the clinic about once a month in Montana and neighboring states, she said.
The four-day clinic continues at Helena High School today with games shown and played in the gym and on the football field. On Friday and Saturday, participants will learn to craft the tools utilized in the games.
Reporter Angela Brandt: 447-4078 or angela.brandt@helenair.com