Although the face-to-face cultural heritage programs and dinners are suspended for now, youth can still enjoy SparkSquad activities from home. Wayne County USU Extension/4H is keeping the ball rolling by offering hands-on home activities challenges.
Many native peoples and later pioneers incorporated a wide range of beads and beadwork into their jewelry and clothing. For instance, the Ute and Southern Paiute people used clay beads along with glass beads, shells, Juniper berries, leather, and feathers. They also incorporated animal claws, teeth, bones, quills, and fur into their beadwork. Pioneer families didn’t have money for adornments, so they made use of beads and buttons as decorations for wall hangings, clothing, and quilts.
The first home challenge kit focuses on beadwork. 4-H youth are encouraged to create bead bracelets and keychain critters. Parents can pick up free kits at Royals in Loa. If they’re gone, be sure to check back. Thanks to Melanie Dabb, Mary Sorenson, Jana Alexander and Maggie Ellett for their work on this program.
Check with the USU Extension/4-H for further information. We enjoy everyone to check out the new Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/usuextensionwaynecounty/ and use #usuextensionwaynecounty and #sparksquad to share your beadwork.
This project is made possible through a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Entrada Institute and Wayne County USU Extension. LIKE us at facebook.com/sparkinghumanities. – Annette Lamb
Check out this article in the Insider about the SparkSquad and Social Distancing. Go to the Insider.
Photo courtesy of Amy Lyman.