This project shows how local natural resources and community education facilities can be incorporated into an learning experience for young children. Dr. Kopfstein is on the Board of Trustees of Quail Botanical Gardens, and has adapted some of the seminar's field trip materials and techniques to elementary education. This project shows not only how a site can be used for a temporary exhibit, but how Native American materials can become permanent enhancements of such a facility.
Quail Botanical Gardens is a 30-acre preserve in Encinitas, California. The land was an estate owned by Ruth Laribee, who when she was alive hosted troops of boy and girl scouts for campouts on the property.
In keeping with the tradition of service to the community, and especially the children, on May 24, 1998 the gardens will host 285 third grade students from three of the Encinitas School District schools for a California Indian Day. We have contacted three representatives of three separate bands of San Diego and Orange County Indians: Juaneno, Luiseno, and Kumeyaay. These three presenters will introduce the children to the similarities and the differences among the local California native peoples.
San Diego County has more distinct groups of Indians (18) than any other county in the United States. As part of the regular curriculum of the Encinitas schools, the children study the history and culture of the pre-European civilizations of the region. The dependence of the cultures on the native California flora and fauna is an integral part of these studies.
Because Quail Gardens has an extensive collection of native plants, it is an ideal site for the students to see first hand how these plants were used for food, medicine, clothing, musical instruments, tools, shelter, etc. The three Indian presenters were chosen specifically because they each have expertise in these particular uses of California native vegetation, and because they are well versed in giving "hands on" demonstrations to children.
Jacque Nunez (Juaneno/Acjachemen) demonstrates storytelling, musical instruments, dances, songs and clothing. Jane Dumas (an elder of the Kumeyaay) is an expert in the medicinal use of plants and in the history of her band. Richard Bugbee (Luiseno) specializes in tools and cordage. He also has supervised the construction of California Indian shelters.
As part of the presentation in May, a "Quicha" or California Indian shelter made of woven willow will be built in the Gardens. Mr. Bugbee has agreed to oversee the project, and volunteers form the Encinitas schools as well as from Quail Gardens have agreed to provide the labor to strip and bundle the willow branches. The structure will be in place by the time the children's presentation will be given, and it will become a permanent part of the Garden's exhibits.
If this first attempt at coordinating the resources of the Garden and the curriculum of the local schools is a success, Quail Botanical Gardens plans to make "California Indian Day" a permanent event.
So that there will be a continuing "Indian presence" at Quail Botanical Gardens regardless of the success of "California Indian Day," the signage in the native plant garden will be permanently changed. Every plant used by California Indians will have a logo and code that will correspond to an information sheet that will be provided to visitors telling them how that particular plant was utilized by the indigenous peoples.
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