Last updated 15-Apr-04
Educational Programs Menu
<- Special Programs Developed On Request ->
Program Fees
- There are no fees for any of our youth programs
- There are no fees for presentations to nonprofit organizations
- A fee of $50 for a one hour presentation will be charged to all others
- Costs for adult education classes are set by the schools offering the programs
- For Ne-Do-Ba sponsored workshops, a fee of $10 for attending half day workshops, $15 for full day workshops. Additional costs to cover materials will vary. Refreshments will be available. Bring a bag lunch for full day workshops.
Other Expenses
All organizations should offer to cover the expenses of the presenter, which include the following items:
- Gas & tolls (normally from Lewiston, ME)
- Meals and/or refreshments
- Overnight lodging when required
Donations are gratefully accepted. Donations help us develop new materials, pay stipends to presenters, cover overhead, and continue our research efforts. Send your donations to: Ne-Do-Ba, % Nancy Lecompte, 1093 Main Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
What's The Catch !
One of the best ways to learn about another culture is to become involved in some of that culture's traditions. In Native culture, a gift is always honored by the recipient. This honoring can occur in many ways. The recipient may offer an object of personal value - a feather, pretty stone, or a handmade item.
The recipient might assist the giver with their chores. It may be a non-tangible gift such as sharing a special place. The gift itself is not important. The value is in the thought behind the gift. When a gift comes from your heart, it is a very valuable thing.
Our presenters offer the gift of knowledge to their audience. Each host should be prepared to lead the participants in choosing a way to honor the presenter. This might be a group effort or offerings from individuals. The honoring may be decided upon before or after the visit.
It could occur during the presentation or weeks later. Some of the ways our presenters have been honored by their audiences are: thank you cards/letters from individuals, crafts and artwork done by groups and individuals, snacks specially prepared, and the performance of Native songs learned in advance.
Be creative ! We love surprises ! We cherish each any every gift, whether it lasts a few moments or a lifetime.
Youth Group Program
SORRY! - NO LONGER AVAILABLE
This program is suitable for school grades 3 thru 8, scout troops, home schooling groups, and other youth groups of similar age. The group size should range from 10 to 30 individuals. An ideal time frame for this activity is 75 minutes. For the presentation, the students sit in a circle (either on the floor or in chairs/desks).
Each presentation includes the following: Abenaki culture as it probably existed around 1600 AD, local information when available, how Indian people live today, hands-on items to be passed around, and a traditional Abenaki story. Questions are encouraged throughout the presentation, making each presentation unique to the group.
Items used for hands-on learning include: animal furs, items made from natural objects (such as bone, stone, shells, & birch bark), games, and rattles. Our inventory of hands-on items is constantly expanding through gifts from supportive friends.
Photos - Our Education Center and Educational Materials used in Our Programs
Schools are encouraged to offer our program to an entire grade level at once. We are willing to spend the day going from one class to another. The school should try to organize the class schedule so that we have 70-75 minutes with each class and a 10 minute break between classes.
Some teachers will question the time period as too long for their class. We are often asked to stay "just a few more minutes" but have never been asked to cut a presentation short! We have found from experience that 4 classes is the limit of our endurance for a single day! How do teachers do this day after day?
Storytelling
VERY LIMITED PROGRAMS CURRENTLY OFFERED
This program is suitable for auditoriums, campfires, cultural events, and groups of more than 30 individuals. It is also a favorite of young children (grade 2 and under) and reading programs. The presentation consists of 20 to 40 minutes of traditional Wabanaki stories. Props and regalia are used to enhance the experience. Storytelling sessions with small groups may include a few of our hands-on learning items.
Adult Group Programs
Adult programs are tailored to the individual group's interests. These programs can range from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Abenaki topics that we offer include: general history, culture and lifestyle around 1600 ad, French & English relationships with the Abenaki, survival in the 19th & 20th century, genealogy and it's many problems, local area histories, and facts about "Indian legends".
Community Wide Program
SORRY! - NO LONGER AVAILABLE
A new program has been developed with the rural community in mind. The program was tried this past winter with great success for all involved. Our visit generally extends over a two or three day period. The program actually includes all of the various programs we offer and allows us to do some research in your area while we are visiting. This program is very flexible and many different perspectives can be included - make a suggestion!
The basic elements are:
- Someone in your area acts as your community sponsor. This could be a local business, an individual, your school system, friends of the public library, or your historical society. It really does not matter as long as they are willing to act as coordinator for our visit. The sponsor will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of our visit so that we need only deal with one person prior to and during our visit.
- Our presenter visits at the local school(s) during the day, providing large group storytelling for the younger students (usually k-3), and classroom cultural presentations (usually 4-8 grade) for the older students. Special programs can be put together for High School students as well.
- An adult program is provided during the evening for the general community. This could be at the public library, as part of an adult education program, or at the local historical society.
- Meals and lodging are provided by the community to the presenter for the duration of the visit. Lodging and meals do not have to be at motels or restaurants. A local family could lend a guest room and meals at the school cafeteria are perfectly acceptable. It is really nice if the family providing the guest room is aware of local history.
- The presenters travel mileage ($.20/mile from Lewiston ME) should be reimbursed before the visit ends.
- Local Librarians and/or historians should be notified of our visit. Time should be allotted (3-4 hours) for our presenter to work with these people to research local materials which might relate to Native history and early white settlement in your region.
- A donation to our non-profit organization is always greatly appreciated and a wonderful way to say Thank You.
The benefits can be great, while the cost to your community kept to a minimum. Get everyone involved, each doing a small part. You might consider declaring a Native American Awareness Day (or week). There is no limit to what can be done!
We would be very pleased to visit and share with your community.
Photos - Our Education Center and Educational Materials used in Our Programs
Public Events Program
VERY LIMITED PROGRAMS CURRENTLY OFFERED
Ne-Do-Ba is interested in sharing our knowledge with the public in any way possible. We have a manned booth that is available for open houses, fairs, festivals and other public events of 1 or 2 day duration. We will be hosting various workshops on Native subjects. We are developing an unmanned display for use in malls, libraries, and museums.
Ne-Do-Ba and Dawnland Alliance jointly host a "Education Center Booth". This booth offers something for all ages. The hands-on table is irresistible to the child in all of us. Posters depicting traditional Native activities, local maps, and Native crafts are used to visually convey information.
Questions are encouraged by our knowledgeable staff. Questions prompted by the hands-on table include; "What is this?", "How did they do that?" "What would you use this for?" and "How was that made?" The most common topics discussed with adults are the lack of available information about local Native history & culture and problems relating to family research of Native ancestry.
Photos - Our Education Center and Educational Materials used in Our Programs
Other Programs
VERY LIMITED PROGRAMS CURRENTLY OFFERED
Ne-Do-Ba is interesting in developing programs to meet the needs of your organization. We would be pleased to assist scouts with badge requirements in history, culture, or Native American subjects. We would enjoy developing something special for our elders and veterans. We would love to assist with historic plays and reenactments.
Please call or write to us with your ideas and suggestions. Time and financial needs are the only limits to how much we can offer. Even these obstacles can be overcome by creative minds, cooperation, and a desire to achieve the goal. Don't forget we can have lots of fun along the way.
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