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.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:

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.

Ken Brown, 

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

Htthomas2@gmail.com

 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.

Donna Packard, 

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

andreacadwell2013@gmail.com

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

Boyz in the Big Apple

Rangers on the prowl!

Well here it is! Lets make a book of Monadnock Ranger Stories. The stories can be interesting, funny or helpful to campers and hikers. I will write up a few of mine and include them on this blog page to start the stories. Send the stories to noodin@northeastcultural.com for review, editing and inclusion.

The goal is to assemble one hundred short stories of experiences you have had as a ranger or camper or hiker on Grand Monadnock. When published all proceeds will be donated to help support a non-profit that supports the interest of Monadnock State Park. That non-profit has not yet been determined so your thoughts and suggestions are open for that as well.

My favorite stories is listed on this page:

1. You of little brain ! Smarter than we think !
2. It’s a Skunk!
3. Charlie – The Barking Raccoon
4. You can run but you cannot hide ~ a Bus
5. A better way to educate our youth?

If you know a good ranger story that has humor in it let us know ~ we actually might write the book.

Working on an idea for a book

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

story #1

You of little brain ! Smarter than we think !

Oh Snake! Oh Snake!

The great minds of science know so much and yet ~ Do they really?

I read an article recently where science has determined that animals don’t really reason or think. They only respond instinctively to their habitat and in accordance to the particular evolution of their species. Some scientists disagree but this is the generally accepted thought.

In the spring the park receives our firewood packs to offer to campers. We keep a large supply at headquarters and a usage supply near our store for customers. The day the firewood was delivered I was on duty as ranger at the gate of the park. The truck rolled up with the firewood. I asked him to leave a couple of pallets of the firewood at the gate and then unload the rest of the supply in our storage yard. The driver unloaded three pallets and left the gate to deposit the rest of his load.

I opened the shed and began putting the firewood packages in the storage shed. I unloaded the first pallet and began to unload the second one when I noticed a Garden Snake coming out from under the pallet. I continued to unload the wood and then stacked the pallets against the side of the building. The snake was still on the roadway where the pallet had been that he came out of, so I gently prodded the snake off the road and watched as the snake moved on out into the woods. It felt good to know that he would find a good life here at the park.

Pretty soon the delivery truck came back and gathered the pallets. The afternoon went on without anything of interest happening. About three hours had passed and I went over toward the storage shed where the wood had been stored away. On the ground where the pallet had been was the snake. He was looking for his home.

It made me think of other times when animals that cannot reason seemed to know how to process a situation. 

Pulling out a dirt road in Wisconsin one time I came up on a Doe deer with a Faun. The mother turned and faced my vehicle making me stop the car. She stood there snorting at me and acting as if she would charge the car. The Faun then ran into the bush off to the right. Once the Faun was clear the Doe ran up the road in front of the car and off into the bush to the left. This all happened in a matter of seconds but very clearly showed that the Doe knew exactly what she was going to do in that situation. She was prepared to sacrifice herself so her Faun would safely get away.

I live in the woods and see these things all the time. If I am going to the store I have to reason what to take, where I am going, what road I will use and make many other mental decisions based on thought and reasoning. Maybe it would be simpler to be “just an animal” and do all of these things instinctively.

There are many other encounters like this that have happened to me. They happen frequently, but what do you think? Any animals making intelligent decisions around you lately?

Ever watch a squirrel figure out how to get into a birdfeeder?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

story #2

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

It’s a Skunk!

OMG ~ It's a Skunk!

A common resident of the New England woods is Skunk. Monadnock State Park is no exception to this fact and has a well rounded population. It is not uncommon to hear a noise rummaging through food supplies or sniffing around a campsite and realizing that your visitor is Skunk. The first time I encountered Skunk was while going up the mountain at night on a rescue several years back. I saw two eyes looking at me from up the trail as my headlight focused on Skunk. I stopped and waited for him to mosey off the trail before proceeding up the mountain.

One evening as I was walking around the campground area in the early evening to make sure everything was quiet. I looked over at a family enjoying their meal at the table in a site. They sat at one end of the table and were completely unaware that Skunk was at the other end of the table enjoying his meal as well. I went in to the campsite and pointed to the Skunk while telling the people to be very calm. The campers quietly got up and walked to the edge of their site. It was funny to watch seven adults and children standing there watching the Skunk consume everything he could find on the table.

While working at headquarters on a weekend Skunk came by again. This time six college girls were camping in the old campground near headquarters of the park. The campground was full of campers and it was in the fall time. I heard a scream in the campground and two of the girls came running out of the woods toward the toll booth where I was working. At that hour I was the only ranger on duty and had to stay at the booth until all campers were checked in for the night. The girls were out of breath and screeching as they tried to tell me that they needed me to come to their camp. I asked them to tell me what the problem was and one explained that a Skunk entered their camp and was in one of their tents. Did you have any food in your tent, I asked. Just some candy bars the girl replied. They explained that they tried to get him to leave but he would not leave the tent and was rummaging through all of their things. It’s not often that an old ranger can impress pretty young co-eds so I told them I would help them out. I closed up the toll booth and went with them to their camp. Sure enough, there was Skunk eating a candy bar in the door of the tent. I took my flashlight and shinned it in his eyes. The Skunk began to move out of the tent and walk away. Then he turned and walked toward one of the girls. He looked at her for a moment and walked into the forest. At that point he started going from campsite to campsite with me running around ahead of him to warn campers that he was coming. It was a site to see and everyone had a visit from Skunk. The park manager came up in the park truck. He asked me what was going on. I told him about the Skunk but he didn’t seem moved by the event. His only comment was; “You forgot to lock the wood shed!”.

Skunk regularly patrols the park and visits with campers here and there. He doesn’t seem to have any fear of folks and mostly minds his own business which is finding camper’s food.

Jim Beard aka Noodin

.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

story #3

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Barking Raccoon

Charlie – The Barking Raccoon

by: James B. Beard aka Noodin

At Monadnock State Park in the Gilson Pond Campground I set up my summer camp in the early spring. Usually as soon as the snow has gradually melted away and about two to three weeks before the campground actually opens for the public. It is a peaceful, quiet time to sit by a fire with the stillness of the forest all around. This one night I sat there enjoying the fire when I heard a barking noise. No dogs are allowed on Mt Monadnock so it was a little bit of a surprise to hear a dog barking. I listened intently and the barking continued but it didn’t quite sound like a dog. Kind of a Woof, Woof but deeper and not as high pitched and rich in sound as a dog. The sound came from down around our lower loop of the campground and seemed to be moving up the hill. The next time it barked it sounded like it was almost in my site. Then I looked toward the bathrooms in the park and saw something run across the parking lot. It was about the size of a dog but more round and furry. I could not make out for sure what it was but it looked like a very large raccoon. It continued its’ barking as it went on up the hill and then it went away. I had never heard a raccoon make a barking noise before and thought that it was a little unusual. As summer came I would periodically hear my friend, Charlie the raccoon, barking his way around the camping area at night. Now and then I would hear a scream from campsites nearby as Charlie would meander through checking out the food sources.

One evening I was asleep in my camp. It was a very warm summer evening and the campground was full. I awoke when headlights shinned into my Pop-up camper. I had all the flaps down so it was kind of like a screen room and I was lying on the bed in my shorts with no covers. The light was immense like spot lights shining in and woke me instantly. I looked out and a girl had exited the car. She was standing in front of her car lights in nothing more than very brief panties and a bra. At first I thought I was imagining this but there she was calling in asking if anyone was there. I answered her and she said she needed to talk to me and I should come out. I told her to wait a minute while I put on some clothes. By the time I came out she had grabbed some clothing from her car and stood waiting for me.

I asked her what the problem was and she explained that she and her girlfriend were sleeping in their campsite, B-2. She heard a barking sound. Both girls were in hammock tents. When she looked out with her flashlight she saw a huge raccoon on the table going through their cooler. She explained that she shined her light on the Raccoon and tried to shoo it away but it would not leave. Then she and her friend threw sticks at the Raccoon to get it to move off. The Raccoon did not run off but instead started to charge at the girls. As they ran toward their car the other girl tripped and badly smashed her knee. That girl was sitting in the car sobbing as we talked.

I asked her what she wanted to do and advised her that she should take her friend to a nearby emergency room for treatment of the injured knee. She answered that she wanted me to go down to her campsite and make the Raccoon go away. Well, over time I have learned that Charlie the barking Raccoon fears no man and I was not about to challenge him at three thirty in the morning in his own element. I told the girls to go to the emergency room and if they got back before daylight to come to my camp for the rest of the night.  The girls did not return that night but Charlie had pretty much torn up the whole campsite. I decided to come back later to help the girls pick up the site. When I did come back the girls had gathered their things and were gone.

Every once in awhile I wake at night when I hear Charlie the barking Raccoon wandering about and I smile remembering the girl in the panties and bra looking for someone to do battle with him.

by: James B. Beard aka Noodin

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story #4

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

hide ~ a Bus

You can run but you cannot hide ~ a Bus

By James Beard aka Noodin

Saturdays are really busy on Mt Monadnock. Hikers come from all over the world to walk her 

trails and see the beautiful views from the summit. The particular Saturday I remember is when I opened the park. Our regular hikers start showing up around seven or eight o:clock and we greet each one as they come in. At about nine o:clock one of our regulars mentioned that he saw a large tour bus headed up Rte 202 and wondered if it was on the way here to the park. I told him no buses were scheduled and that we normally do not allow buses on Saturdays because of the amount of traffic and limited parking. We started watching for the bus, knowing it woud be coming when we received a radio call from the Old Tow Road entry. Taylor called over to let us know a bus had passed her entry traveling toward Marlboro, NH.

So the bus was not headed toward the park! Well, kinda not headed toward the park. A few minutes later we got a radio call from Taylor indicating that one of the resident neighbors was at her gate and complaining that a large bus had stopped in front of his home and let out about fifty people who crossed his land and started up the mountain. The manager came by our toll booth at about that time and we determined that we should intercept them along the trail and let them know they need to use the entry as well as pay the hiker fee at the park. I suggested to the manager that I could go over to the Old Tol Road entry and help out. She said that would be fine and off I went.

When I arrived at the Old Toll Road one of the rangers had already gone up the mountain to look for the errant hikers. Taylor was still at the booth and told me that our neighbor resident was really mad and gave her a hard time.

I asked her to describe the man. She told me he was middle aged with a grey beard and long hair. I had a feeling that I knew who she was describing. A year before one of trucks broke down in front of a neighbors house. We had to leave the truck to be towed and this neighbor was less than friendly about it. Then I decided to take a ride over to his place.

As I thought might be the case, there in front of his place was a huge tour bus parked along side of the road. I went up to the bus and tapped on the window. Pretty soon the driver came to the door. I introduced myself and asked if he had let people off at that place to climb the mountain. He said he knew this was not right and tried to tell the tour guide that. When he passed the sign for the park entry he figured something was funny. He told me the tour guide told him that the guide knew what he was doing and to just follow instructions.

I replied to him; “Well, you have two choices. You can stay here and the Marlboro Police will be by in a few minutes to give you a huge ticket for parking here, or, you can follow me back to headquarters and wait for your passengers there.”

The bus driver did not have to think too hard on that one. Soon the bus was following me back up to the main entry of the park to wait for his passengers. The hikers were intercepted and told to come down to headquarters after the hike to pay the fees and depart on their bus.

After a few hours we received a call from Taylor at the Old Toll Road. The hikers had come down

to that entry and the tour guide insisted that we send the bus over to pick them up. The park manager came on the radio and told Taylor to tell the tour guide that the bus would be sent over when we had confirmation that the fees had been paid. The total fee for all of the hikers came to $100.00 for twenty hikers. The tour guide complained a little more but finally relented and paid the hiking fee. The bus was sent over and all was good.

All of the tour guides I have encountered that come to the mountain are happy to pay the fee. They understand that the park is maintaining trails, facilities and patrolling the mountain to help hikers as well as protecting the mountain. It is rare for someone to go to such extremes to avoid supporting the park.

By James Beard aka Noodin

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story #5

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

A better way to educate our youth?

I'll Tell You a Story !

by James Beard aka Noodin

Young people come to the mountain to meet a story teller called Noodin at the Hikers Cabin and to hear a story.

Hikers Cabib, White Dot Trail
Grand Monadnock

Twelve high school youth with two teachers knock on the door. The door opens and each person files into the large open room. As they enter they are looking around with a caution and natural curiosity. They see strange items laid out on the table and around the fireplace. They have entered a different world!

You know the youth are glad to be out of school. It is obvious they are taken with going to the Grand Monadnock Mountain in southwestern New Hampshire in the middle of the winter. Walking up the snow bound trail from the White Dot trailhead to the hikers cabin is beautiful in the serenity of the forest, the mountain and the winter snow. It is a gray, cold and overcast day and yet the quietness of the forest is enchanting and holds its own beauty.

James Beard aka Noodin

The fire is giving an ambiance of comfort and a minimum of heat in the large hearth. It crackles now and then just to keep everyones attention. The building is not insulated and does not hold the heat well. The room is comfortable and has a warm welcoming feel even if it is a little on the chilly side. After all, it is ten degrees outside. Everyone sits in a circle with the fireplace taking one side of the circle. This is the home of Noodin at Monadnock State Park.

What is that strange smell? A girl asks. That is sage, I answer. My name is Jim Beard in English. My name in the native language of my teachers is Noodin. I am an adopted one to these people and have been given some things by them to share with you.

I pick up a shell with leaves of sage burning and walk around the circle allowing each person to take a wiff of the pungent aroma of the sage. Sage is used by Native American people to open any gathering, I explain. They use it to invite good spirits and feelings of the people and to bring everyone in the gathering to a oneness in focusing. After walking around the circle I put the shell containing the burning sage on the floor in the middle of the circle.

Hold this for me, I say to a boy as I hand him a drum. He looks at it and feels the tightness of the Elk Hide on the drum. He looks at the way the Elk cord is tied to hold the drum together. I then hand a shaker to a girl in the circle. This is called a shizigwan I tell her. Shizigwan means shaker.

I will tell you a story and we will need these things in the story, I explain. The story is of the creation of all things and the connection of all things of the universe. As I tell the story there is not a sound other than the words of the story, the drum and the shaker. It is an ancient oral teaching of the people. Not to be written down but passed from one to another through all time.

We are all connected to all that is and to one another. It is our responsibility to care for one another and all that we know. To be respectful to all that is.

There are many items on the table by the door. You can look at them before you leave and I will answer any questions I can about them.

We are sitting in a circle.

I explain to them; No one in the circle is above another or below. We all are equal in the creation. That I share in the circle does not put me above or below. Your teachers sitting in the circle are at one with you. Not above and not below. Native people use the circle to teach that we are all equal and should be right size with one another. A feather will be passed around. Each person will have the opportunity to speak when handed the feather. You can say whatever you feel called to say and no one may speak other than the one holding the feather. When you have finished saying what you have to share then you pass the feather to the next person.

Each person speaks in turn as the feather travels around the circle. The first time only a few words are spoken hesitantly by the youth. The feather travels again and the group opens up. The people share their hardships and concerns and gratitude’s. All of the people in the circle respect the feather and no one speaks out of turn. One can feel the sense of healing in the circle. Tensions dissappear and a feeling of oneness and relaxation begins to fill the room.

As they leave the cabin each one is welcomed to return whenever they wish. I know that I will see many of them again over time when they come to visit Grand Monadnock Mountain and the Hikers Cabin.

 By: James Beard aka Noodin

Other books: White Mocs on the Red Road & Golden Eagle ~ What you say!

“To be centered is to stand alone together” Noodin

Grand Monadnock ~ What does the name mean.

grand monadnock

chi monidou'nok

moniadenak

Article updated with additional information

Does it really mean mountain that stands alone? A good friend of mine lives near Grand Monadnock in New Hampshire. She is of Abaneki Ancestry and has been doing research to identify the aboriginal activity around the mountain prior to colonial settlement. The information about native use of the mountain is almost nonexistent and little factual information is available. Beth has read just about anything she could find on the subject. Recently she contacted Russ Moore. Russ is a witter and has done many articles about the Monadnock Region. He responded, properly I might add, and said this:

"The best evidence of Native Americans living on or near Mt. Monadnock is that it is a Western Abenaki word and they must have been in the area to give it a name later adopted by the European decent persons who explored the area in the late 1600s and early 1700s."                                                                                                                                                                 Russell Moore

With all that has been written about this great mountain it would seem that its human history prior to white settlement of the area is forgotten. Almost like it was a secret to be kept from the new people who had come.

So I responded to Beth's inquiry:

July 27, 2014

Booshoo Beth,

What you have gathered is pretty much all I have ever found historically about aboriginal occupation. Most Abaneki people that I have met have a rather different understanding but no proof that validates their knowledge. Based on the little I have been able to discover I tell my story of what I believe happened. It has very little information that documents the claims I make. Some Native heritage people like you Beth Royce, your grandfather, your great grandfather, Charlie Royce, Lee Willette and Sue Tirrell seem drawn here to take care of this place. To me that is a helpful confirmation of what Energy of Spirit desires.

One night I received a call from a Pottawatomie Ojibwa Chief, Nick, who lives in London, Ontario. He was calling to inquire about any stands of birch in the New Hampshire area that might be available for bark harvesting to build canoes. He was asking for my assistance to approach the state about the harvesting. In the conversation he inquired as to where I live. I told him I live on a mountain in a state reservation park located in south west New Hampshire. He asked if any Indians lived on the reservation. I told him there were no Indians here and he said that I was lucky. All of this in jest of course. He asked what the mountain was called. I told him it was known as Grand Monadnock.

The Pottawatomie language is Algonquin based and very close to the Abaneki language. The Pottawatomie settled in Wisconsin, Michigan primarily and are a part of the Ojibwa or Chippewa Confederation. Ojibwa tribes migrated from the east over the past thousand years.

Nick is a professor in Ontario and said that the name sounded Algonquin. He is a fluent speaker of Pottawatomie as well as many dialects of the Algonquin language group. I told him that it is said to mean: Mountain That Stands Alone. I went on to tell him that I tried to find a similarity to that meaning in Algonquin but could not. Nick began to sound it out ~ Monadnock, Grand Monadnock, Monidnock, Monidnik, Monitou Nic, Grand Monitou’Nic, Chi Monidou’Nic. He then said; Chi Monidou'nok meaning: Great Spirit Place. That could also translate into mountain that stands by itself due to the difficulty in translation into English.

The way that I tell it is that the first colonists that came here inquired to the local Indians about what they called the mountain. In their language they said the name. The colonists asked what that meant. At the time the Indians spoke very broken English without command of the definitions to the English words. I believe they told the colonist it meant Mountain That Stands Alone either because they did not know another way to define it in English or because it is a close definition and they did not want to disclose the great Spiritual meaning the mountain holds for them. Probably both reasons are why they said the meaning of the name in that way.

To the Western Abinake this is A Spirit Place, Chi Manitou’Nuc. Most tribes that I am in touch with have a specific mountain that is a powerful Spirit guide for their people. Those mountains are often unique in that they stand by themselves or tower over other mountains in the area. Mountains such as Bear Butte in South Dakota, Mt Carleton in New Brunswick, Katadin in northern Maine. These were places that were used as watch places to spot approaching threats and, more importantly, where the people, Medicine People, would commune with Spirit. Over the past nine years I have kept the fire for this Spirit place and I will do this to the end of my time if Spirit guides me to.         

Apane, Noodin

Well, maybe I am wrong!

As in any pursuit it takes time to find the truth of what is. It can be even more difficult when the people who hold that truth have become silent. The Western Abenaki people are still here but, sadly for many, the memory of the language is limited to a very few. The original posting of this article brought a response from one of those people. 

This is wrong, comes from Abaneki word "moniadenak" and means Silver mountain.

                                            Watie J Akins

This statement came from a man who I know to be very knowledgeable about the Western Abenaki people. He is, in fact, a man I consider to be one of my mentors. His name is Watie Akins and he was born on the Penobscot Reservation at Panawampskeag near Old Town, Maine. Watie has done extensive research pertaining to the Abaneki people. 

He tells it this way: "As my cultural knowledge expanded, it became evident that the Abenaki in Maine included the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Maliseet Tribes.  These groups had absorbed the remnants of the other northeast Tribes that were destroyed during the colonization of our territory.  With this knowledge, I turned my attention to the collection and learning of all the Abenaki music that I could locate in the (former) Abenaki territory, with my focus on keeping the old knowledge of our music alive."

Watie has produced CD's of the original songs of the Abenaki to preserve the music and culture of the people.

The CD “For the Grandchildren”, is the first of two CD’s

To honor a mountain

James B Beard aka Noodin

So why a white man keeping a fire to honor a mountain of ancient Spiritual meaning to the aboriginal people now called Indians. Well, look to the Algonquin Ojibwa prophesies. It is said that in the seventh time, this time, a white man will be involved in the return of the teachings held by the people. Algonquin language based people migrated and went to the place where food grows on the water. A white man will bring these things back to the east to be shared by all of the people who continue to live in the east. Maybe I am one of those white men. I don’t know. I do know that I am driven, I believe by Spirit, to learn from my Native brothers and to share, under their direction, what I have been given to share. Keeping a fire on this place, Grand Monadnock, is a part of what I feel given to do. If I am ever asked to leave this place I will keep the fire from afar and within my heart. Grand Monadnock is a part of who I have become. It is a part of my bundle.

Mii’sa ii euw

Noodin

Post script from  Watie J Akins ....I believe the word comes from the Western Abenaki and is "moniadenak" and means At Silver Mountain. Could be the mountain that Escombuit got his silver from. 

Watie is Native American and one of my mentors. He is very knowledgeable in the Abenaki language.

Books : http://www.northeastcultural.com/James_B_Beard_aka_Noodin_Author.html

“To be centered is to stand alone together” Noodin