Friday, August 29, 2014

Cultural Educational Interpretive Program



PROJECT FOR INTERPRETIVE CULTURAL RESOURCE

Cultural Educational Interpretive Program

For Parks ~ Community

 
 
Pencil drawing by visiting camper at Monadnock State Park, Jaffrey, New Hampshire


Submitted by: James B. Beard

PROJECT FOR INTERPRETIVE CULTURAL RESOURCE

Proposal / Purpose

Proposing a Cultural Interpretive Program to enhance cultural knowledge. This project would be open to anyone.

Offering a cultural educational resource for all people based on the traditional teachings of the Algonquin / Anishinaabe people native to the North Eastern and North Central areas of North America. To encourage personal and community implementation of a value based manner of living that will guide toward respect of all life, each other and the natural laws of our existence.

Educational programs to do with environment, culture, traditional teachings and wilderness survival would be offered. Focus is to be on understanding Native American Culture to enhance values for individuals and community. The physical area developed would be utilized by anyone in the community wishing to learn or experience indigenous cultural understanding. The area would be available to teachers offering programs relating to natural teachings from all forms of beliefs and science.

A variety of programs would be formed and staffed by volunteer Native craft people.(Volunteers and conductors would receive stipend for their contributions) Various crafting would be done depending on availability of experienced craft persons to do with making of Native tools and objects. Leather work and tanning, drums, shakers, beading, weaving, baskets, dream catchers, pouches and other projects will be offered in structured classes as well as on demand by individuals seeking to learn certain crafts.

The desired physical area to establish this program would be an open area (near water would be preferred) large enough to accommodate several small structures.  Structures placed in the area would consist of: Teepee, Wigwam, Long House, Healing Lodge, Central Fire, Cooking fire area Project work area and ten Picnic Tables and/or traditional work covered lean-to covered areas. Any facility with utilities such as bathrooms, kitchen and inside cover would be beneficial but not absolutely required.

The program mission is to encourage all people to accept one another with wisdom, respect, humility, honesty, love, strength and truth. To help all life in coming to know where we come from and where we will go in order to understand where we are.




Elder Mentoring

Tribal Elders and visiting Elders are encouraged to take part in mentoring to the people that attend programs. Elders are invited to teach or share experiences that will guide others in a quality based manner of living.

Cultural Story Telling

Native American people tell sacred stories as a way of keeping coherence in culture. The stories become a foundation of shared understanding of the general nature of life upon which their societies are built. Native American drums, shakers and flutes are often used to enhance the delivery of the story. Stories contain wisdom and hope, and shape societies in profound ways.

Crafting
Native American people make their own items including: clothing, jewelry, tools, and weapons. Crafting projects can include beading, braiding, leather pouch making, basket making, dream catchers, drums, shakers and flutes.

Workshops

Workshops are designed to present a value system as it has been adhered to over millennia by peoples of the American Continent. The purpose being to demonstrate an ethical culture that lives in harmony with all things. The values of these people demonstrate principles that can improve the balance of our society.


Medicine Wheel – A Traditional Record of Life Teachings

Animal Talk – Understanding nature and what it can tell you

Indian Lodges – Everything has a lesson to teach

Talking Circles
Talking Circles have been used by many indigenous cultures, particularly in the Native American traditions. A talking circle is a method used by a group to discuss a topic in an egalitarian and non-confrontational manner or to simply "check-in" about what is present for them in their lives. The group members sit in a circle and make comment on the topic of the discussion.




STRUCTURES

Teepee
Monadnock State Park, New Hampshire

  • Near the entry of the project area setting a tone of Native welcoming to visitors.
  •  To be utilized for various teaching programs.
  • Canvas covered tepee instead of birch bark.  
Wigwam
  • Placement in area near central fire. A rounded shape dwelling and covered in birch bark or canvas. (Algonquin style)
  • Usable as a gathering spot or for overnight shelter for some programs. 

Healing Lodge
  • Used as a teaching tool with visitors.  Students are often brought into the lodge when it is not covered to explain what the lodge is for and what it represents. The public is not brought into the lodge when it is being used for Native ceremony. (It is a functioning lodge) 
Monadnock State Park, New Hampshire

Crafting Area
  • A teaching lodge style structure would be constructed to provide shelter and shade over the present picnic tables used in our craft area.
  • A schedule of crafting programs would be available to park visitors. Craft programs would include.
    • Making of leather pouches, dream catchers, drums, shakers, basket making, bead working and other Native oriented crafts. (Only cost for supplies would be charged, ie. Crafts supplies can be procured and sold through parks or obtained and sold direct by craftsmen)

Monadnock State Park, New Hampshire


Teaching Lodge structure
      • Structure area would be 35’ X 25’ made of bent saplings in a rectangular shape with entry openings at east and western end. It would be partially covered to provide shade for crafting projects and protection from rain.
Monadnock State Park, New Hampshire

Central Fire Pit
  • A typical ceremonial fire pit used while storytelling and set up in a Native traditional way. (fire permits would be required for the lodge fire pit, central fire pit and cooking ring pit).

Ceremony Fire Pit at Monadnock State Park, New Hampshire





History

Team Coordinator: James Beard aka Noodin
Started in 2006 with a fire and storytelling weekly at the state park campground area.

In 2010 a new campground area was established and opened to the public at the Gilson Pond entry of Monadnock State Park. A small section of the picnic area in the field looking out over Mt Monadnock (Great Spirit / mountain that stands alone) was offered for a fire pit and storytelling area. During the summer camping season the campers and visitors of the park have been offered a story telling program on Saturday evenings. Many visitors to the park have returned to hear the stories of the Native American people as told by James Beard a.k.a. Noodin, cultural story teller, author of White Mocs on the Red Road / Walking Spirit in a Native Way.

During the summer of 2011, the program was expanded to include a ceremony fire area, lodge, birch bark wigwam, cooking fire pit and a crafting area under tarp cover.


·         Response by the public has been positive in all respects. Interest in the program and attendance for interpretive storytelling has been strong. More than 800 visitors to the park attended storytelling events in 2011. Many attendees were return campers as well as people visiting the park from the neighboring communities to attend the program.
·         The cover page drawing was an artist rendering of the teepee. Many visitors drive through just to see the teepee.
·         The programs, maintenance of the area and construction is done by participants in the program under the guidance and mentoring of Elders.

1.  Project Initiation

Past programs have established interest of the public for this program. The project coordinator, James Beard, has a large resource of Native craftsmen volunteers who are committed to provide their talents and energy. The materials needed are on hand. Any additional materials needed to implement the project can be obtained locally.

2.  Quality criteria

  • All project work will be done subject to approval of the Administration.
  • The coordinator, James Beard, will be responsible to oversee all structures and areas utilized for the project.
  • Schedules for program activities will be provided by the coordinator, James Beard, in advance and subject to approval of Administration.

Project Tolerances
Tolerance
Amount
Time
Area set up Spring
Initiate programs in June
Cost
Minimal cost program. Actual cost to the provider depends on the extent of the program.
Risk
Program is low risk.
Benefit
Enriches experience for the community
Provides a platform for Educational and Interpretive programs
Encourages preservation of traditional heritage
Scope
Traditional heritage and introduction of value based programs for all people.
Quality
This program is provided for and overseen by people who posses teachings from Native elders of Algonquin Language based tribes in the United States and Canada. Focus is on north eastern tribes.


Project Management Team Structure

Role
Named Individual(s)
Role Description
Management
Administrative Division
All program development and implementation subject to approval
Program Coordinator
James Beard
Set up, implementation, maintaining of grounds and programs. Coordination of volunteers.
Volunteers
Various craftsmen and helpers
Subject to Program Coordinator
Provide crafting knowledge to visitor participants
Supplier(s)
Craftsmen, Craft Outlets, Native communities
Supplies may be procured by the program provider and sold to visitors as needed for crafts or the individual crafters may charge the visitors for materials being used.





3.  Coordinator Qualifications

James B. Beard
8 Main Street                        Phone : 603-261-7228
P.O. Box 602                         Email  : noodin@northeastcultural.com
Amherst, NH 03031            
Objective               Presenter / Consultant
Experience:           Speaks on topics such as traditional living and natural spirit teachings. Topics address many concerns to do with wellness and balance in life. A student of native teachings from Ojibwa Elders, Algonquin language based people, living throughout the Great Lakes Region of the US and Canada. The audiences for his presentations vary from youth to elderly. Elder, Larry Matrious, of Lake Lena Reservation in Minnesota is Jim’s teacher and has given him Algonquin teachings of traditional culture, language and ceremony for more than twenty years.

 January 1999  Present         

Author, Cultural Story Teller, Native Cultural Consultant

·         James B. Beard aka Noodin

Grand Monadnock, Jaffrey, New Hampshire
·         Best Sellers: 
White Mocs on the Red Road ~ Walking Spirit in a Native Way @ http://www.northeastcultural.com/WhiteMocsontheRedRoad.htm

Articles: 
Woodpecker Came to Visit! @: www.Selfgrowth.com
Outdoors , age nine @: www.Selfgrowth.com
Golden Eagle ~ What You Say! @: www.Selfgrowth.com & www.lulu.com

Videos:
The story of the Life Stick @ http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhee

Founder: Northeast American Cultural Resource / www.northeastcultural.com

2005 – Present                    New Hampshire Department of Resource      Jaffrey, NH
State Park
·         Assigned to Park Ranger staff 2007 at Mt. Monadnock State Park.  Duties are daily ranger duties in park campground & trails.  Mountain patrol & rescue on mountain.
·         Camp host in campgrounds at Mt. Monadnock from April to November.
·         Park interpreter at Mt. Monadnock, Greenfield, Pillsbury & Pawtuckaway State Parks presenting Legends of the People (Native American Stories, ecological information & native flute music).

2003 – Present                    Northeast American Cultural Resource                           Amherst, NH
Independent Website Information Service
·         Resolved to make services available to all people to aid in the understanding of Native American people living in a traditional way.  Efforts are intended to assist in a movement of the traditional teachings to help all people live a balanced life.

1991 – 2004                         Beard Insurance Agency, LLC                            Amherst, NH
Insurance Agent/Owner
·         Established and managed insurance agency offering property, casualty, auto, life and health insurance products to commercial and individual consumers.  This is an independent agency under contract with fifteen insurance companies.

4.  References

Recommendations For James

To Whom It May Concern:

It is an honour for me to write this letter of recommendation for James "Noodin" Beard.
I have known him personally for 3 years and before that, I was familiar with his
style of teaching through his book, White Mocs on the Red Road. Words that describe
him are: profound, insightful, humorous, and wise storyteller. As department chair
of world languages, French teacher and as high school advisor for the foreign exchange students
through AFS, I had the privilege to host James as a teacher and storyteller
who could represent native culture in a good way. In particular, the traditional
teaching style through story-telling and songs, through sacred objects like the
drum, the rattle and herbs, our students at Berea-Midpark High School as well as international
students were able to gain an understanding of first nation, Anishnaabe culture through direct experience.

Especially at this time, when a more ecologically sustainable way of life is being called
for, to have Jim share the older, Earth-based ways was both inspiring and healing for
teachers, administrators and students alike. What remains with me as I am writing this
letter now are the 7 virtues embedded in all the stories of: honesty, love, truth, wisdom, respect,
humility and bravery and how important it is for the next generation to be reminded of
the teachings that have helped humanity for centuries.

He comes to you with my highest recommendation.

Sincerely,

F. Christopher Reynolds, M.Ed.

Berea-Midpark High School
Ursuline College
Ashland University

440-876-7610    spiriman@aim.com




To Whom It May Concern:

It is an honor for me to write this letter of recommendation for James "Noodin" Beard.
I have known him personally for 3 years and before that, I was familiar with his
style of teaching through his book, White Mocs on the Red Road. Words that describe
him are: profound, insightful, humorous, and wise storyteller. As department chair
of world languages, French teacher and as high school advisor for the foreign exchange students
through AFS, I had the privilege to host James as a teacher and storyteller
who could represent native culture in a good way. In particular, the traditional
teaching style through story-telling and songs, through sacred objects like the
drum, the rattle and herbs, our students at Berea-Midpark High School as well as international
students were able to gain an understanding of first nation, Anishaabe culture through direct experience.

Especially at this time, when a more ecologically sustainable way of life is being called
for, to have Jim share the older, Earth-based ways was both inspiring and healing for
teachers, administrators and students alike. What remains with me as I am writing this
letter now are the 7 virtues embedded in all the stories of: honesty, love, truth, wisdom, respect,
humility and bravery and how important it is for the next generation to be reminded of
the teachings that have helped humanity for centuries.

He comes to you with my highest recommendation.

Sincerely,
F. Christopher Reynolds, M.Ed.
Berea-Midpark High School
Ursuline College
Ashland University
440-876-7610
spiriman@aim.com




To whom it may concern;

I first met Jim when I was an intern with the SCA in the NH Parks 
system. I struggled with one aspect of that job; leading interpretive 
programs in one of the park campgrounds. Jim was an inspiration! His 
story-telling programs were engaging, informative, entertaining, 
interactive; everything a novice could strive for. When I had the 
chance to manage a park a few years later, I was eager to have Jim 
come visit and do a program or two. 

Jim's story telling helps the audience build connections; you leave 
the circle feeling connected to a cultural and natural history that is 
shared by everybody.

Vermont Parks Manager, Underhill State Park

leonardmead@gmail.com




To whom it may concern;
Jim is a long time friend and business associate. Our paths first crossed when he was a professional in the insurance industry. At the time I noticed something special in Jim. He really cares about people and the world we live in.
In the late eighties Jim took a turn that I, at first, did not understand, He began to take a different path in life learning from Native American Elders. As he progressed down that path it became clear that this was more than a passing interest for him. He has come to be well known for his work teaching and sharing Native tradition and values. Jim has made a bridge between people seeking to help others to understand and respect one another. His work with the Native population is not without notice and many of the programs that he offers are in conjunction with eastern tribes such as the Maliseet, Mic’Mac, Abenaki and others. He also provides programs to schools and youth correctional facilities around the country.
The message Jim conveys is simple. Respect all things, love all life and be gentle on this Earth. The program Jim is offering will truly help many people to understand one another as well as their own personal being. The knowledge he carries is guided by many Native Elders who assist him in his efforts. That is truly unique!
Carl Weil
Master Fellow – Academy of Wilderness Medicine
Director at Wilderness Medicine Outfitters
2477 County Road 132
Elizabeth, Colorado
303-688-5176                     Carl@wildernessmedicine.com



 



To whom it may concern;
It is a rare and precious thing to find one who speaks as Spirit flows. Wisdom arises in every word, simple, surprising, refreshing. His book, White Mocs on the Red Road is a must read for anyone seeking deeper meaning in life. Jim Beard, also known as Noodin, is a gifted story teller, a talented teacher and a beautiful soul. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Jim's knack for connecting on a deep level with all ages makes him a superb teacher, and his understanding of the native cultures equips him to meet a broad spectrum of challenges, and to convey teachings of profound value.
Hannah Thomas
Heart Rising Radio
Cambridge, England




 To whom it may concern
 
I highly recommend James Beard, aka Noodin. He and I have co-facilitated heart-centered circles and I am always so moved by the depths of his stories and how they move me and touch others in the group. He is surely following his heart's guidance in the work he is called to do in this world to support the People and the Planet. I highly recommend that you attend an event with Noodin and read his book "White Mocs on the Red Road: Walking Spirit in a Native Way". The story has so many teachings interwoven within it that will touch you on many levels and stir something deep in your soul. I feel honored to know James 'Noodin' Beard and highly endorse him and his work.

Senior Reviewer at College for America of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Heart Wealth Creation Coach, Packard Productions

New London, NH

Donnapackard@aol.com









To whom it may concern

I have worked with Jim on a research project about Native American culture and history. I have attended many Native American events at which Jim has been both facilitator and teacher. Jim is greatly talented as a writer, story-teller and lecturer. He is great with all ages, his wisdom is appreciated by many in our community in New Hampshire as well as across the United States. 
Jim has much to offer to anyone that is seeking wisdom and guidance with respect to Native American culture and history. 

Andrea Cadwell, Strategy & Development- Non-Profits & NGO's, Photography/Photojournalism
Peterborough, NH




NH Division of Parks and Recreation
172 Pembroke Road
PO Box 1856
Concord, NH 03302-1856

RE: Fabulous Program at Monadnock State Park

I attended a program last Saturday that was not only informative, but inspiring. As a program developer and presenter with over 15 years of experience and having attended hundreds of programs throughout the northeast and elsewhere, including programs at Pinkham Notch and multiple National Parks, I was impressed with what I learned and witnessed.
In one hour, I learned more about our regional Native American cultures than I’ve probably learned in all the hours I’ve spent watching and reading from various other sources (including such maligned greats as Disney’s Pocahontas and Kevin Costner’s Dances With Wolves, along with more accurate information acquired from trips to Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon and dozens of other resources/exposures). From the meaning of various names that grace our own hills and mountains, to traditions of people who came before us and passed along their medicinal knowledge, to all around good tales that offer a lesson or two, the program was not only broad, but had depth and meaning. Sure I’ve heard of the Algonquin, Ojibway, and Abenaki and have imagined I knew enough about them. And I know that I can jump on the Internet, hit Google, and come up with a gazillion resources. I had realized before that Merrimack, Wapack, and Monadnock are all derived from Native American words, but to hear the stories told by a knowledgeable individual who captures the essence of the persona brought new meanings and understanding. To experience the stories in that intimate setting, in those special surroundings with a fire burning brightly as a backdrop was much more memorable. When we were informed that “MAANG” means the “loon” (as indicated on the license plate of our storyteller identifying him as a member of the “loon clan”), there was a car starting its engine. And just then in the distance, I actually heard the loon calling. Not an unusual sound to be heard on our nearby ponds, but the timing was impeccable and perhaps more than coincidental. Then, while he was spinning his tale of “Ginyu” listening to the breeze that created haunting sound in the pines, “Noodin” picked up his flute and played a wistful tune reminiscent of nature at her finest. At that very moment, the previously nonexistent breeze actually started blowing through the tops of the pines and hemlocks above our heads, and it went away as that story ended. It was eerie, yet quite moving and enjoyable.
There were 20 guests of various ages gathered around the storyteller that evening in front of the fire; and while the couple with the two youngest children had to leave a bit early, the rest sat raptly as the wise old narrator wove his tales and passed around artifacts that enhanced the experience – a hand carved walking stick, a handcrafted rattle that easily took on various roles in the story, a flute that didn’t need sheet music to render beautiful tunes, and a simple drum that acted as thunder and took on a spirit of its own (with what I assumed was a genuine animal skin stretched across its breadth).
It may not be for everyone, but this program and others that offer new insight and experiences that people crave so much in today’s cookie cutter, computer-driven world are exactly what we need to hold onto, to encourage, and to maximize in order to continue enticing urban visitors to our beautiful NH outdoors. I urge you and the Division to find a way to continue offering this inspiring program and to expand programming efforts in the parks that will add to the value and enjoyment.
Best regards,
Brenda Bhatti
Jaffrey, NH

5.  Approvals

Prepared By       James B. Beard
__________________________________

This document requires the following approvals
Approved By      __________________________________

__________________________________


Approval Date   __________________________________


“To be centered is to stand alone together” Noodin