Projects & Classes

The following classes are held at:
The Maidu Interpretive Center
1960 Johnson Ranch Drive
Roseville, California


Registration is through the Maidu Interpretive Center in Roseville. To register, call (916) 772-4242, (916) 774-5950, or (916) 774-5242. You can also register online at http://www.rosevilleparks.com and click on "webreg".


INDIGENOUS TOYS AND GAMES
Have fun and enhance your creativity and hand coordination. Make toys out of acorn, tule, willow, black walnut shells, and New Zealand flax: spinning tops, leaf puzzles, willow deer, flax fish, tule birds, and more.
One adult must register with the child; up to 3 children per adult.

Date: March 11, 2005 (Friday)
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Dino Labiste
Age Min/Max: 7-years-old and older
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22246

Date: April 1, 2005 (Friday)
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Dino Labiste
Age Min/Max: 7-years-old and older
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22246

 

TULE ETHNOBOTANY
Discover the botanical characteristics of tule that make it the ideal material for constructing houses, boats, mats, sandals, quivers, rope, toys, hats, and baskets. Create your own berry picking basket or sun visor and learn from the samples how to make a variety of other items from tule.

Date: March 11, 2005 (Friday)
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Dino Labiste
Age Min/Max: 14/adult
Fee: $25.00
Class Code Number: 22277

 

THE ART OF CALLING DOWN THE SUN
Fire was necessary for survival and was considered sacred. Learn the various techniques for starting a fire and see it demonstrated: five for fire-by-friction, one for fire-by-compression, and one for fire-by-percussion. Hands-on activity on hand drill fire making. Suitable plant materials for fire making will be displayed and discussed.

Date: March 12, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Dino Labiste
Age Min/Max: 14/adult
Fee: $20.00
Class Code Number: 22272

Date: April 2, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Dino Labiste
Age Min/Max: 14/adult
Fee: $20.00
Class Code Number: 22273

 

SKILL OF PLYING CORDAGE
Learn the ability to extract, prepare, and twine fibers into cordage. Several plying techniques will be explored. Complete your project by grinding down shells and nuts to fashion a necklace or bracelet. $2 materials fee paid to the instructor at the class.

Date: March 12, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Dino Labiste
Age Min/Max: 10-years-old and older
Fee: $15.00
Class Code Number: 22260

 

PLAITED BASKET
Construct a plaited basket using plant material used by the Polynesians. Learn the basics of creating the base, sides, and rim. Gathering and processing techniques will also be discussed in relation to Polynesian culture.

Date: April 1, 2005 (Friday)
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Dino Labiste
Age Min/Max: 14/adult
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22274

 

LOOPED STRING BAG
The textile technique of intertwining cordage to make a usable container or bag is found throughout much of the world. This form of producing fabric, also known as knotless netting, is as old as cloth itself. It has been used by virtually every culture throughout history. Using just a string and a needle, create a utilitarian looped string bag. $2 materials fee paid to the instructor at the class.

Date: April 2, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Dino Labiste
Age Min/Max: 10-years-old and older
Fee: $15.00
Class Code Number: 22247

 

PERSONAL DECORATION
What materials did native peoples use to enhance beauty and indicate value? Explore the different types of shells from coastal California, seeds from native plants, and hard bones that were traded from village to village. Create beads and string them to make your own personal necklace. $2 materials fee paid to the instructor at the class.

Date: MARCH 11, 2005 (Friday)
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Susan Witmore
Age Min/Max: 14/adult
Fee: $20.00
Class Code Number: 22276

 

MAKING TRACKS IN THE WOODS
Ever ask, "What was it that went this way?" Animals do leave us clues. Mimic animal movement and gait, compare paw size and shape, create an eye for the marks of claw and antler, and consider an amazing variety of scat (poop!) as we have fun unraveling the meaning of animal road signs. $2 materials fee paid to the instructor at the class.

Date: March 11, 2005 (Friday)
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Susan Witmore
Age Min/Max: 7-years-old and older
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22245

Date: April 1, 2005 (Friday)
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Susan Witmore
Age Min/Max: 7-years-old and older
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22245

 

STONE AGE BANQUET
Find out how well our ancestors ate. Try ancient cooking styles using hot coals, rock and earth ovens, and cooking stones to prepare a delicious feast. Bring an appetite and be ready to roll up your sleeves. $7 materials fee paid to the instructor at the class.
One adult must register with the child; up to 3 children per adult.

Date: March 12, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Susan Witmore
Age Min/Max: 7-years-old and older (inquire for more information)
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22244

Date: April 2, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Susan Witmore
Age Min/Max: 7-years-old and older (inquire for more information)
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22244

 

MAKING YOUR POINT
Use ancient techniques on stone and bone to fashion tools such as a Hoko knife, an arrow or spear point, a bone basketry awl, or a bone sewing needle. If you like, make a handle with wood and decorate it with carved designs or natural pigments. $2 material fee paid to the instructor at the class.

Date: March 12, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Susan Witmore
Age Min/Max: 14/adult
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22275

 

WEAVING THE WORLD IN A COILED BASKET
Provides a basic introduction to basket making skills. Learn about plants used by California's basket weavers, then create your own contemporary coiled basket from mostly non-native plant materials. Incorporate samples of traditional wild plants into your basket and understand that many of California's weavers were and are some of the best in the world.

Date: April 1, 2005 (Friday)
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Susan Witmore
Age Min/Max: 14/adult
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22271

 

MINIATURE RABBIT SKIN BLANKET
Before cloth, there were animal skin blankets. Create your own soft, miniature rabbit skin blanket. (Cutting the pelt requires the use of a sharp stone tool and careful concentration.) $15 material fee paid to the instructor at the class.

Date: April 2, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Susan Witmore
Age Min/Max: 14/adult
Fee: $30.00
Class Code Number: 22270

 

 

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