Post by blackcrowheart on Oct 3, 2007 13:38:46 GMT -5
Young tribal members picking up survival skills
Posted: 6/1/2007
[Members of the Washoe
tribe's Project Venture program Cole Bennett, 12, left, Kyle Steele, 10,
Skush Poodry, 14, and Danielle Bennett, 11, listen to Ryan De Rose as he
explains how to navigate with a compass in Carson City recenlty. The
kids have been participating in a series of classes.]
PATRICK CUMMINGS/RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL <mailto:online@rgj.com> Members
of the Washoe tribe's Project Venture program Cole Bennett, 12, left,
Kyle Steele, 10, Skush Poodry, 14, and Danielle Bennett, 11, listen to
Ryan De Rose as he explains how to navigate with a compass in Carson
City recenlty. The kids have been participating in a series of classes.
[Ryan De Rose, left, helps Monique Evans, 14, find the right heading
with her compass during a recent Project Venture field trip in Carson
City.] Ryan De Rose, left, helps Monique Evans, 14, find the right
heading with her compass during a recent Project Venture field trip in
Carson City.
<http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/misc/zoompicture.pbs&Site=J\
7&Date=20070601&Category=DOUGLAS&ArtNo=706010388&Ref=V2&Profile=1322&rgj\
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dit=Patrick%20Cummings%2FReno%20Gazette-Journal&cachetime=0>
[Members of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California's Project
Venture program D.J. Jackson, 12, left, Cole Bennett,12, Skush Poodry,
14, Danielle Bennett, 11, Monique Evans, 14, and Shanice Turtle, 12,
adjust their compasses to the right heading during a navigation exercise
in Carson City recently. The kids were participating in one of a series
of classes that will teach them the skills needed for a four-day hike in
the wilderness this summer.] Members of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and
California's Project Venture program D.J. Jackson, 12, left, Cole
Bennett,12, Skush Poodry, 14, Danielle Bennett, 11, Monique Evans, 14,
and Shanice Turtle, 12, adjust their compasses to the right heading
during a navigation exercise in Carson City recently. The kids were
participating in one of a series of classes that will teach them the
skills needed for a four-day hike in the wilderness this summer.
<http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/misc/zoompicture.pbs&Site=J\
7&Date=20070601&Category=DOUGLAS&ArtNo=706010388&Ref=H3&Profile=1322&rgj\
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ick%20Cummings%2FReno%20Gazette-Journal&cachetime=0>
As Chad Malone watched the seven youngsters teasing, laughing and
running along sagebrush-lined trails on the south side of Carson City,
he recalled his own childhood in the same town.
"When I was growing up, I didn't know what being an Indian was until I
started talking to my elders," said Malone, a leader in the Washoe Tribe
of Nevada and California. "When I was 18, I started realizing what being
Indian was all about."
Malone, chairman of the tribe's Carson Community, hopes it doesn't take
today's kids that long.
The seven boys and girls, ranging in age from 10 to 14, participate
weekly in Project Venture, which includes about 40 of the tribe's
children and teenagers, all of them learning outdoor survival, rock
climbing, fire making and other skills linked to centuries-old Washoe
traditions.
The tribe calls it, "A season full of activities that push kids to
grow."
The program, which started in February, culminates in June when the
youngsters spend four days in the woods using what they've been taught.
"Every week we learn something," said 11-year-old Danielle Bennett. "If
you didn't listen, it's your fault if you get lost."
Danielle figures she can find her way in the wilderness after a recent
lesson in compass reading. But Danielle may have another problem in the
wild.
"I know we're going to walk far," she said. "I'm allergic to trees,
grass and weeds."
Yes, there will be plenty of walking and hiking, probably some climbing,
along with fishing and fire making.
Small group lessons
Until then, lessons are being learned in small groups. One day, it's
Danielle and her friends in the tribe's Carson Community. On another,
its the kids in the nearby Stewart Community, or Woodfords, Calif.,
about 15 miles across the state line from the tribe's Gardnerville
headquarters.
The kids seem to be looking forward to their wilderness adventure.
They're already planning the lunch and dinner menus.
"It's going to be filled with chicken wings," Shanice Turtle, 12, said
with a laugh.
"Chicken wings and fries," said Skush Poodry, 14.
They'd better be kidding.
The Project Venture leader, Ryan De Rose, has warned the kids repeatedly
that there will be no fast food on this trip.
"I don't like what I'm hearing," De Rose said as the youngsters recited
their eating wish list.
But Malone liked what he saw as the boys and girls from his community
each used a compass to find directions and locations on a patch of
undeveloped land in Stewart. There's little room for outdoor activity in
the Carson Community, a section of town on the west side of U.S. 395
bordered by automobile dealerships, a casino and other urban
development.
"That's why we want kids to learn Indian ways," said Malone, who
graduated from Carson High School in 1980.
A compass may not be one of the Washoe's oldest tools for navigating
across the Sierra, but its use, just like hiking and the proper
preparation of a campsite, is important to Project Venture, which, among
many things, is supposed to teach self-reliance.
Compass exercise
"Did you guys notice when somebody started running, everyone else would
follow," De Rose told the kids after one compass exercise. "You have to
check your own navigation, your own equipment. Somebody might be wrong.
A lot of people might be wrong."
Project Venture isn't unique to the Washoe.
It started in the 1980s as part of the National Indian Youth Leadership
Project. This year, young members of tribes in 20 states are taking
part.
"Ultimately, it's a prevention program," said Liz Garcia, the Washoe
Tribe's Project Venture director. "It's about health and wellness,
(preventing) drugs and alcohol."
Project Venture didn't exist when Malone was growing up.
"We didn't have (prevention)," he said.
The Washoe have incorporated Project Venture into a large array of
after-school programs for children that include instruction in the
tribe's language, cooking and tutoring in subjects such as reading and
science.
Participation in Project Venture is voluntary. In some Washoe
communities, a lot of kids show up. In others, only a few.
"We provide a safe educational environment for our children," said Wanda
Batchelor, chairwoman of the tribe's Stewart Community in Carson City.
"A lot of our parents work and aren't home until 6 o'clock. We target
those times."
For Danielle and her Carson Community pals, it's the perfect time to
learn a basic rule of survival in the woods.
"You're not supposed to panic," Danielle said. "Whatever you do, don't
panic and be prepared."
Posted: 6/1/2007
[Members of the Washoe
tribe's Project Venture program Cole Bennett, 12, left, Kyle Steele, 10,
Skush Poodry, 14, and Danielle Bennett, 11, listen to Ryan De Rose as he
explains how to navigate with a compass in Carson City recenlty. The
kids have been participating in a series of classes.]
PATRICK CUMMINGS/RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL <mailto:online@rgj.com> Members
of the Washoe tribe's Project Venture program Cole Bennett, 12, left,
Kyle Steele, 10, Skush Poodry, 14, and Danielle Bennett, 11, listen to
Ryan De Rose as he explains how to navigate with a compass in Carson
City recenlty. The kids have been participating in a series of classes.
[Ryan De Rose, left, helps Monique Evans, 14, find the right heading
with her compass during a recent Project Venture field trip in Carson
City.] Ryan De Rose, left, helps Monique Evans, 14, find the right
heading with her compass during a recent Project Venture field trip in
Carson City.
<http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/misc/zoompicture.pbs&Site=J\
7&Date=20070601&Category=DOUGLAS&ArtNo=706010388&Ref=V2&Profile=1322&rgj\
_caption=Ryan%20De%20Rose%2C%20left%2C%20helps%20Monique%20Evans%2C%2014\
%2C%20find%20the%20right%20heading%20with%20her%20compass%20during%20a%2\
0recent%20Project%20Venture%20field%20trip%20in%20Carson%20City.&rgj_cre\
dit=Patrick%20Cummings%2FReno%20Gazette-Journal&cachetime=0>
[Members of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California's Project
Venture program D.J. Jackson, 12, left, Cole Bennett,12, Skush Poodry,
14, Danielle Bennett, 11, Monique Evans, 14, and Shanice Turtle, 12,
adjust their compasses to the right heading during a navigation exercise
in Carson City recently. The kids were participating in one of a series
of classes that will teach them the skills needed for a four-day hike in
the wilderness this summer.] Members of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and
California's Project Venture program D.J. Jackson, 12, left, Cole
Bennett,12, Skush Poodry, 14, Danielle Bennett, 11, Monique Evans, 14,
and Shanice Turtle, 12, adjust their compasses to the right heading
during a navigation exercise in Carson City recently. The kids were
participating in one of a series of classes that will teach them the
skills needed for a four-day hike in the wilderness this summer.
<http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/misc/zoompicture.pbs&Site=J\
7&Date=20070601&Category=DOUGLAS&ArtNo=706010388&Ref=H3&Profile=1322&rgj\
_caption=Members%20of%20the%20Washoe%20Tribe%20of%20Nevada%20and%20Calif\
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lasses%20that%20will%20teach%20them%20the%20skills%20needed%20for%20a%20\
four-day%20hike%20in%20the%20wilderness%20this%20summer.&rgj_credit=Patr\
ick%20Cummings%2FReno%20Gazette-Journal&cachetime=0>
As Chad Malone watched the seven youngsters teasing, laughing and
running along sagebrush-lined trails on the south side of Carson City,
he recalled his own childhood in the same town.
"When I was growing up, I didn't know what being an Indian was until I
started talking to my elders," said Malone, a leader in the Washoe Tribe
of Nevada and California. "When I was 18, I started realizing what being
Indian was all about."
Malone, chairman of the tribe's Carson Community, hopes it doesn't take
today's kids that long.
The seven boys and girls, ranging in age from 10 to 14, participate
weekly in Project Venture, which includes about 40 of the tribe's
children and teenagers, all of them learning outdoor survival, rock
climbing, fire making and other skills linked to centuries-old Washoe
traditions.
The tribe calls it, "A season full of activities that push kids to
grow."
The program, which started in February, culminates in June when the
youngsters spend four days in the woods using what they've been taught.
"Every week we learn something," said 11-year-old Danielle Bennett. "If
you didn't listen, it's your fault if you get lost."
Danielle figures she can find her way in the wilderness after a recent
lesson in compass reading. But Danielle may have another problem in the
wild.
"I know we're going to walk far," she said. "I'm allergic to trees,
grass and weeds."
Yes, there will be plenty of walking and hiking, probably some climbing,
along with fishing and fire making.
Small group lessons
Until then, lessons are being learned in small groups. One day, it's
Danielle and her friends in the tribe's Carson Community. On another,
its the kids in the nearby Stewart Community, or Woodfords, Calif.,
about 15 miles across the state line from the tribe's Gardnerville
headquarters.
The kids seem to be looking forward to their wilderness adventure.
They're already planning the lunch and dinner menus.
"It's going to be filled with chicken wings," Shanice Turtle, 12, said
with a laugh.
"Chicken wings and fries," said Skush Poodry, 14.
They'd better be kidding.
The Project Venture leader, Ryan De Rose, has warned the kids repeatedly
that there will be no fast food on this trip.
"I don't like what I'm hearing," De Rose said as the youngsters recited
their eating wish list.
But Malone liked what he saw as the boys and girls from his community
each used a compass to find directions and locations on a patch of
undeveloped land in Stewart. There's little room for outdoor activity in
the Carson Community, a section of town on the west side of U.S. 395
bordered by automobile dealerships, a casino and other urban
development.
"That's why we want kids to learn Indian ways," said Malone, who
graduated from Carson High School in 1980.
A compass may not be one of the Washoe's oldest tools for navigating
across the Sierra, but its use, just like hiking and the proper
preparation of a campsite, is important to Project Venture, which, among
many things, is supposed to teach self-reliance.
Compass exercise
"Did you guys notice when somebody started running, everyone else would
follow," De Rose told the kids after one compass exercise. "You have to
check your own navigation, your own equipment. Somebody might be wrong.
A lot of people might be wrong."
Project Venture isn't unique to the Washoe.
It started in the 1980s as part of the National Indian Youth Leadership
Project. This year, young members of tribes in 20 states are taking
part.
"Ultimately, it's a prevention program," said Liz Garcia, the Washoe
Tribe's Project Venture director. "It's about health and wellness,
(preventing) drugs and alcohol."
Project Venture didn't exist when Malone was growing up.
"We didn't have (prevention)," he said.
The Washoe have incorporated Project Venture into a large array of
after-school programs for children that include instruction in the
tribe's language, cooking and tutoring in subjects such as reading and
science.
Participation in Project Venture is voluntary. In some Washoe
communities, a lot of kids show up. In others, only a few.
"We provide a safe educational environment for our children," said Wanda
Batchelor, chairwoman of the tribe's Stewart Community in Carson City.
"A lot of our parents work and aren't home until 6 o'clock. We target
those times."
For Danielle and her Carson Community pals, it's the perfect time to
learn a basic rule of survival in the woods.
"You're not supposed to panic," Danielle said. "Whatever you do, don't
panic and be prepared."