Teach children to relive Native American culture through their creativity during arts and crafts projects. Before European colonization, Native American tribes relied on canoeing and horseback riding for transportation, while structures such as teepees and wigwams were normal housing structures. Arts and crafts projects do not require building Native American objects such as canoes and teepees, but children learn much about Native American cultures by creating smaller scale models of these objects.
Headdresses
In Native American cultures, headdresses possessed sacred symbolism and often dictated the status of Native Americans within their tribes. Common items for making an arts and crafts headdress are paper, feathers and jewelry. When constructing a paper headdress, create long, thin strips of paper and glue or staple the ends together to make a ring. Attach feathers and jewelry to the outer side of the paper ring with glue. Arts and crafts stores also sell headdress kits, which feature all these items in the package.
Canoes
Before the advent of motorized boats, canoes were one of the primary methods of water travel for Native Americans. While constructing a canoe is an arduous task, children can create a smaller model of a canoe using paper or salt dough. Paper canoes are easier to build, but salt dough canoes are more durable. A simpler arts and crafts canoe project is drawing a canoe on a sheet of paper by using crayons or markers.
Kachina Dolls
One Native American tribe, the Hopi, created small figurines known as kachina dolls. Kachina wooden dolls were made in the images of human beings or animals; kachina dolls represented spirits that protected the Hopi. To expedite a kachina doll project, substitute wood for toilet paper tubes and a ping pong ball. The tube serves as the doll's body, while the head is made from the ping pong ball. Tape and glue are used for attaching legs and arms to the doll. For coloring, use colored construction paper and markers.
Teepees
Teepees were common dwelling places for Great Plains tribes such as the Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho. Great Plains tribes were constantly moving to follow the movement of buffalo herds, which meant teepees were easily assembled and taken down. Model teepees are also easily assembled for arts and crafts projects by using Popsicle sticks, a rubber band and paper. Fasten four Popsicle sticks with a rubber band and spread them out to form a teepee shape. Wrap paper around the Popsicle frame and color the paper with markers or crayons. Larger teepees may be built by using poles and bed sheets; these teepees act as a small playhouse for children.
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