The Acorn Circle program brings Native American culture and children’s education to local libraries. In Fall 2023 we went to three libraries, in 2024 we did six libraries, and in 2025 we plan to do three libraries. Singing Creek Educational Center (SCEC) has partnered with these libraries to provide this educational program: Cottage Grove, Creswell, Springfield, Eugene, Fern Ridge, Siuslaw, and Oakridge Community Center. Each library hosts three sessions for children including a book reading and a craft project, utilizing curriculum from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. In November, SCEC and the libraries host a Native American speaker for a free public event, to include storytelling and a cultural presentation.
Our Executive Director, Karen Rainsong, has been getting to know the Indigenous community locally for many years. She regularly teaches at and participates in the Native American Cultural Encampments that happen during the summer in Linn County, with Deitrich Peters and his extended family and community. Karen brings the Kalapuya Ways presentation items, as well as atlatls, cordage making, storytelling and children’s crafts to these campouts. Karen comes to this work from a place of respect, humility, listening and cooperation. Read more here.
Curriculum
The curriculum includes story books published by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR), as well as some activities. SCEC will also provide a craft to go along with the CTGR curriculum. Trained SCEC staff will lead these sessions for children aged 6 – 10 and provide the supplies and instruction.
SESSION ONE
“Let’s Go Eeling” Storybook and Make a Basket.
This free learning session will include watching a short video, hearing a storybook about catching eels, discussion about the main idea of the story, and a craft where you can make your own small basket with ribbons to take home. Curriculum by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, adaptation and teaching by the staff of Singing Creek Educational Center. Teachers and parents are welcome to attend. Supported by the Woodard Family Foundation, the City of Cottage Grove, and participating libraries.
SESSION TWO
“Mulak Man” storybook, Quiz Show Game and Make Your Own Leather Pouch.
This free learning session will include hearing the story “Mulak Man” about elk hunting, and a quiz show testing comprehension for prizes, then make your own leather pouch to take home. Curriculum by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, adaptation and teaching by the staff of Singing Creek Educational Center. Teachers and parents are welcome to attend. Supported by the Woodard Family Foundation, the City of Cottage Grove, and participating libraries.
SESSION THREE
“Coyote and the Fish Trap” storybook, Past/Present tense verbs, and Make Your Own Coyote Mask
This free learning session will include the story “Coyote and the Fish Trap”, learning about tenses in verbs, learning a few words in Chinuk wawa and making a paper coyote mask to take home. Curriculum by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, adaptation and teaching by the staff of Singing Creek Educational Center. Teachers and parents are welcome to attend. Supported by the Woodard Family Foundation, the City of Cottage Grove, and participating libraries.
Native American Cultural Presentations
by Deitrich Peters, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Join us as elder Deitrich Peters shares about his culture as a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Deitrich “Deitz” will share about his regalia, his traditions, play flute and answer questions. Deitz says “I love my culture and traditions – making things with my hands, working with feathers, beadwork, traditional dancing, storytelling and of course my all time favorite, flute playing. I have learned these many things from our elders, and have been gifted these things by the Creator.” Singing Creek Educational Center will share items of Kalapuya material culture. This free event is great for ages 8 and up, and is sponsored by the Woodard Family Foundation, the City of Cottage Grove and participating libraries.
The video shows Deitrich Peters playing flute at his Native American Cultural Encampment in 2023, at Roaring River Park in Scio, OR.
For more information please contact our Executive Director, Karen Rainsong, at director@singingcreekcenter.org.
