Language Camp 2013

 

Last week was Dry Creek Rancheria's Youth Language Camp at Alexander Valley Campground. There were several fun activities for the kids to learn and practice the language, as well as some traditional food preparation stations.


There was a Twister game using Southern Pomo words for red, yellow, green and blue.

 

Red Light, Green Light using Southern Pomo for red and green.

Bow and arrow game using animal names and numbers.

  

The boys liked the remote controlled helicopter.

 

There was a station for preparing a drink made from manzanita berries. 

Here is a picture of the unripe berries. 

 

When the berries are red and ripe they are harvested off of the tree and then are "winnowed" in a basket to separate the berries from the leaves and twigs.

Then they are gently pounded to get the break the skins.

They are placed in a colander lined with a cheesecloth, then over a bowl. Water is then poured over the berries. This process is repeated until you have your desired flavor. 

And you get this yummy drink:

Another station was set up for shelling and pounding bay nuts.

 

These days we like to take the shelled nuts, roast them in the oven, pound them out, roll them into balls and cover them with chocolate. They are really tasty. Almost like a chocolate covered coffee bean. 

There was also fried seaweed:

 

A tasty muffin made with pounded acorns and cornmeal:

  

And of course, hot dogs and Auntie's famous frybread:

 

I LOVED these cool signs:

And these cool hats:

And this awesome language sign with QR codes to hear native flora and fauna in the language.
Like those pictures? Alex drew them!

It was a fun time! We're looking forward to next year.