Museum Info

The Inter Tribal Learning Circle

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
2nd Saturday of each Month

Join in the fun of meeting people and listen to guest speakers who focus on a variety of Native themed topics with food and fellowship in the classroom at the Fort Ancient Museum. The Inter Tribal Learning Circle is in its 21st year of meetings with the purpose of educating the public while sharing knowledge of traditions and customs of people of American Indian descent.

The 2013 Schedule is as follows:
March 9	Justin Houston	Making Bone Rools
April 13	Phillip Smith	Making Moccasins and Spiritual Medicines
May 11	Evan Heald	Sweat Lodge Teaching
June 15	Jack Blosser	New Technological Advancements of Native American Cultures
July 13	Daniel Bingamon	Preparing and Cooking Wild Pants for Food
August	TBD
September 14	Karen Sullivan	Native American Spirituality
October 12	Dan Boone	The Edible Outdoors
November 9	N/A	Thanksgiving Feast
December 14	N/A	Christmas Celebration in the Classroom.

Originally founded and sponsored by the Lower Eastern Ohio Mekoce Shawnee in its early years, it has continued to grow with a diversity of people and cultural heritages.

Participants are encouraged arrive between 11:00 and noon, and to bring a covered dish, for a noon lunch. A raffle is conducted each month to raise money in support of the mission of Fort Ancient.

Featured guest speakers discuss their knowledge of Native heritage or craft specialization.

March 9th: Ever wonder how people made bone fish hooks, fleshing tools, and sewing awls? Join us as Justin Houston demonstrates how to do just that and more. If you have animal bone to bring that is fine but there will also be a limited supply of deer bone available to work. Participants will also learn how to make a wooden spoon for everyday use. The program will take place at the shelter house in the picnic area. Please consider bringing a carving knife and a hatchet if you have one.

April  13th: This demonstration and teaching will illustrate how to make a pair of moccasins of both Eastern and Western styles. A discussion of spiritual medicines and when/when they were used will follow. It is suggested to bring a notebook to take notes. If you have your own leather punch or needle feel free to bring them so you have the opportunity to learn how to make moccasins. This demonstration and discussion will take place at the shelter house in the picnic area.

May 11th: Participants will learn the purpose of a sweat lodge and what its implications are to people of Native descent. Participants will also learn of the spiritual purpose and uses of the associated fire for the sweat. This is not a demonstration or actual sweat ceremony but a presentation about it. Presentation will take place in the classroom in the museum.

June 15th: Jack Blosser, site manager of Fort Ancient will take the Learning Circle participants through the museum to discuss the main technological advancements of the Native American cultures over the last 10,000 years. The goal is to open the door for future volunteer docents who may whish to lead group tours during the weekends. So if you are interested in volunteering or simply would like to learn about the rich Native heritage of the Ohio Valley, this is a good opportunity to learn.

July 13th: This presentation will demonstrate how to prepare and cook wild plant foods over an open fire or at home. Bring your taste buds to try the prepared foods as samples of what you could do at home. This presentation will take place at the shelter house in the picnic area.

August TBA

September 14th: Join us as a teaching of Spirituality is presented at the classroom in the museum. Learn how traditional people of today continue to use the teachings of their ancestors in their everyday life.

October 12th: Join us on a journey of plant identification and uses of edible plants and learn of the healing powers of medicinal herbs. Participants will also learn about the plants that were actually cultivated over the last 2,000 years. The discussion will begin in the classroom at the museum.

November 9th: Please join the Learning Circle participants as they give thanks for the bounty of what the Creator has provided. There will be no speaker this month.

December 14th: Come and be part of a holiday get together in the classroom to enjoy one another's company with good friends and food. Participants can prepare for Christmas by browsing crafters tables to see what other stocking stuffers they can buy. It is a great way to finish your holiday shopping.

Visit The Intertribal Learning Facebook page, found under Intertribal Native American Learning Circle, for additional information.