Winter Games, Stories, and Crafts Institute for American Indian Studies December 22, 28 and December 29

Recognizing art and crafts, as an intrinsic and essential element of Native American life, the Institute for American Indian Studies is hosting a series of programs December 22, 28, and 29 designed to foster a better understanding of the artistic and oral history of  Native American culture.

If you have kids and are looking for an engaging activity in December, head to the Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington CT to participate in this series of programs that are sure to entertain and educate. Best of all, these programs are free with the price of admission; $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children.

On Sunday, December 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Institute’s Educational Department has organized an afternoon of craft programs that will encourage self-expression. At this workshop kids will express their creativity by learning about the world that surrounds them and connecting to Native American culture that has thousands of years of history right in their own backyard. A highlight of this program will be to make a Native American themed holiday ornament.

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, on December 28 and 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on each day the Institute has organized a special program that will feature traditional Native American games such as snow snake, snow boar, hoop and pole, keeper of the fire, and eagle eye. A special series of craft activities sure to help instill a sense of achievement and pride in children include creating items such as cornhusk dolls, bussers, or beading that kids can take home. One of the most looked forward to activities is storytime. Native American stories recount the history of indigenous people and are told to educate children about cultural morals and values. These stories offer valuable life lessons that are multigenerational, multicultural, and timeless.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have a 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Native American Arts and Crafts Market

Litchfield Hills is dotted with many holiday fairs and festivals. For those that are looking for something really unusual, take a trip to the Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut to shop for authentic Native American Arts and Crafts.

At the Institute’s annual Native American Holiday Arts and Crafts Market you will find a wide array of unusual holiday gifts from local Native American crafters. Visitors can shop for a wide variety of Native American crafts, jewelry, and artwork. Among the more one-of-kind items are beautifully handwoven baskets from colorful reeds and bark, hand-painted decorative gourds, authentically made Native American pottery, rattles, and elegant handcrafted flutes.

All the items found here are offered at a variety of price points so no matter what your budget is, you might very well find that perfect gift item.  In addition to finding something truly unusual, visitors will have the opportunity to chat with Native American crafters as they create these unique and beautiful items and learn about items they have purchased from Native American crafters throughout the country. Many artisans put an emphasis on using natural materials such as reeds, bark, gourds, stone, feathers, quills and antique trade beads and using traditional techniques.

The Native American Holiday Arts and Crafts Market are taking place at the Institute on November 30 and December 1; December 7 and 8, and December 14 and 15. This special Native American Holiday Market will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 pm to 5 p.m. The entrance to the Holiday Market is free!

 About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have a 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Medicinal Monday - Northern Red Oak

The Northern Red Oaktree is a native tree of  North America and grows in the eastern and central United States. In addition to its importance to the timber industry, many Native American Tribes`used this tree for a variety of ailments from chills and fever to sore chapped skin. This winter when walking the grounds of the Institute look for the distinctive red algae that grows in the inner crevices of the bark of Northern Oak trees.  Winter is the best time to spot this growth.

About the Northern Red Oak

Northern Red Oak Trees can live up to 400 years and can grow up to 141 feet tall and be 6.6 feet in diameter. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of this tree is its bark which features bark ridges that appear to have shiny stripes down the center.  This is the only oak tree with striping all the way down the trunk.  The leaves of this tree alternate and are seven to nine lobed and oblong-ovate to oblong and are five to ten inches long and four to six inches wide. Leaves emerge from pink buds in the spring and in the autumn they turn a bright red or brown. The acorns mature in 18 months and are green in color at first and mature into a nut-brown cup shape. The white kernel inside and the nut is very bitter.  Unlike many other oak tree species, the Northern Red Oak will not germinate without a minimum of three months' exposure to sub 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Medicinal Uses of the Red Oak
The Cherokee, Malecite, Ojibwa, Potawatomi, and Micmac use an infusion of bark and fur cones or bark and roots to treat chronic dysentery.  The bark has an astringent quality and is chewed to relieve sores in the mouth by the Cherokee and the inner bark was used to treat hoarseness and severe coughs by Delaware, and Oklahoma. The Chippewa have a ceremony using a compound decoction of the inner bark to treat heart trouble, and the Ojibwa use a decoction of the bark as a blood medicine to treat internal diseases as well as to treat heart trouble and as a respiratory aid. The Rappahannock make an infusion of the bark and drink it as a bitter-tasting beverage for beneficial health benefits.

Did You Know...

The Ashford Oak is a famous Northern Red Oak specimen tree located in Ashford Connecticut.

It is the most common species of oak in the northeastern US after the closely related pin oak.

Despite its bitterness, the kernel of the Northern Red Oak is eaten by deer, squirrels, and birds.

The Northern Red Oak is the State Tree of New Jersey and the provincial tree of Prince Edward Island.

It is one of the most important oaks for timber production in North America. 

Construction uses include flooring, veneer, interior trim, and furniture.

In Europe, northern red oak acorns, have become the food of several moth species.