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November Workshops

Intro to Beading Monday, November 14th  6-8 pm.
Learn how to make beaded earrings from several different styles. Children ages 12 and up are welcome with an adult for the same cost of $12. Class is limited to 8 people. Sign up today! Instructor, Dennis Williams, belongs to the Pillager Band of Ojibwe and lives with his family on the White Earth Reservation in Mahnomen.  His interests include grass dancing, making beadwork/designing regalia for family and friends, playing basketball, and working with youth throughout Indian Country.
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Intro to Fermentation, Saturday-November 19th, from 9-3pm
Make your own Kimchi!
Kimchi is a generic name for a multitude of seasonal and regional varieties of pickled or fermented vegetable side dishes flavored with spices, and high in vitamins, minerals, and lactic acid. This class will be hands on experience into the process of Fermentation. Fermenting is a great way to preserve and boost nutrient density and is an easier way for the body to assimilate those nutrients. Class fee is $8 and is limited to 12 people.
Steve Dahlberg is an instructor and Director of Extension at White Earth Tribal and Community College. 
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Both classes will be held at Wadiswan building (new campus) at White Earth Tribal and Community College, 2250 College Road, Mahnomen, MN
To register Call Becca at 218-935-0417 Ext 314 or email at Rebecca.dallinger@wetcc.org
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2010 Nature of Technology Camps are a success!

By Kaitlyn Murray, Waubun

Twenty-nine students in grades six through eight participated in the Nature of Technology Camps held July 12-15 at Waubun High School and July 19-22 at Mahnomen High School. Students were given intensive training in Nature Photography and an introduction to GPS, throughout the camp and especially on the day trip to the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.

“I liked being able to be in the bird blinds and take pictures (while at the Tamarac),” said Hattie Dorman.

Students also learned how to use a telescope as a camera called digi-scoping,  how to use an online editing and enhancing program  called Picasa as well as basic how to create a photography show. The student’s work was celebrated by staff and family in a closing photography show.

“I learned how to take lots of cool pictures and how to take them at different angels.” Said 8th grader Laura Lindsay.

The Waubun and Mahnomen Nature of Technology camps were made possible by a grant from the Minnesota State Community and Technical College awarded to the Extension office of the White Earth Tribal and Community College in partnership with the University of Minnesota, 4-H. To see some of the  Waubun student’s work go to www.waubun.k12.mn.us.

Waubun Camp (Left to right) Front row: Steve Maanum, Hannah Lanoue, Murphy Cammisuli, Ethan Benson, Reba Lego, Hattie Dorman, Megan Fairbanks, Heyley Lehmann, Josie Bellanger, Matt Fairbanks and Rebecca Dallinger 2nd Row: Steve Dahlberg, Laura Lindsay, Zach Beaupre, Alexis Belland, Kaitlyn Murray, Lara Hanks, Miya Rojas, Tanner Bellanger, Hunter Boudreau Photo by Pam Lehmann
Mahnomen camp (Left to right ) Front row: Steve Dahlberg, Extension WETCC Director, Katahna Bosley, Whitney Granger, Alyssa Olson, Rebecca Dallinger (Camp Coordinator &Photographer), and Photographer Steve Maanum 2nd row, Joe Courneya (U of MN 4-H), Skye Arriola, Angela Amberg, Keshawn Goodwin, Ashley Johnson, Michael Larson, Justine Haugo, Debbie Dixon and Javonnis Knox Photo by Pam Lehmann

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The Fine Art of Vinegary

 

Leatherwood Vinegary is nestled on a beautiful site north of Long Prairie River. Ron and Nancy Leasman are the artisans living and working with natures gifts on this mystical quaint farm. WETCC Extension and Leatherwood Vinegary crossed paths during a Regional Flavors Ecotourism gathering. That is where the journey begins.

The universe seems to open paths to knowledge at the most opportune times. A group of community members that were involved in the garden immersion sessions were reflecting over the lessons that presented themselves over the past year. Our gardens and wild food harvests were spectacular this year. Sometimes all that goodness has it challenges . We were running out of fresh ideas of how to prepare, process and/or store the abundant crops from the years harvest. Too many times over-planted crops end up in the compost pile. Kale and cucumbers are wonderful and nutritious, but you can only eat so much of it.  We also wrestled with the issue of the fruits having a lot of sugar added to them in making jams and juices. Being the enthusiastic group that we are, we knew resolve would come our way.

The fine folks from Leatherwood Vinegary offered a tour of their amazing establishment. Once there, the answers to so many issues came to us in one neat package. Vinegar. A kitchen staple that may be overlooked and under used by many of us.

Plans were made on the spot for a workshop to learn the basics of vinegary. A small group went to the intensive hands-on teachings given by experienced vinegarist, Ron Leasman. With a lot of patience (and written instructions), Ron sent us on our way to produce fine vinegars.

In a few months, this group will have had enough experience to share their knowledge with the community. Please contact WETCC Extension if you would like to learn the fine art of vinegary!

 

 

 

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Crafting Bone Tools

The underlying philosophy of WETCC Extension Service is to reconnect people with nature. In an effort to understand and appreciate the gifts of Mother Earth, we explore the traditions of our ancestors. One of the traditions that seems to be very clear and universal to all Indigenous Peoples is to use what you have and let nothing go to waste.

With that in mind, it is hunting season in this part of the world. The meat and bones from a variety of animals give us much needed protein. So many times the bones are discarded after the soup is gone. With a little bit of creativity and a couple of saws and files, beautiful ornaments and functional tools can be made. A few of the items made at Extensions recent workshop are, knives, fish hooks, needles, tooth picks, lamp base, awls, and pendants.

Simple steps to creating bone tools.

Step one: Gather bones. Use bones from a hunt, local meat processor or from a finished meal.

Step two: Remove skin, hooves and as much meat and tendons as possible. Be sure to cut the bones so that the marrow can be removed from the bone (remove at least one joint)

Step three: Boil the bones until all of the marrow can be removed from the bone. This may take several hours. Do not put the bones in the oven as the dry heat will make the bones brittle.

Step four: Let the bones air dry.

Step five: Draw a pattern on the air dried bone. Cut the bone with a saw to shape the tool. Use files to finish shaping the tool.

Step six: Polish finished tool with sand paper and steel wool. Option- soak the tool in peroixide to whiten.

 

 

 

 

 

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Indigenous Gardener Mentor

FREE TRAINING!!!  The Indigenous Gardener Mentor curriculum offers free training in a multitude of skills such as: gardening, various forms of food processing, hide tanning , crafting bone tools, building root cellars, wild food identification and preparation, tracking, personal care products, and whatever else we can think of! 
 
WHAT WE ASK FOR IN RETURN: Pass the training on. The method in which that happens is up to you. Examples are: training family and friends, holding community workshops, building employable skills.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE? Anyone willing to learn! Adult Tribal and Non-Tribal Community Members are welcome. ( Special trainings can be held for those under 18 years of age. Contact us for more information extension@wetcc.org)

UPCOMING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES November 2009:  Root Cellar Construction, Crafting Bone Tools, Make Vinegar From Wild Fruits and Herbs

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES 2010:  Stone Carving, Outdoor Clay Oven Construction, Clay Oven Baking, Spoon Carving- wood and horn, Gardening Made Simple, Anishinaabe Nutrition and much more!

CONTACT INFORMATION:  extension@wetcc.org

IMG_0458Bone Toolswild food identification and preparation