IndigeSTEAM has been sharing the mini tipi workshop with our camp youth starting with the very first camp we did in 2011. Since the first, we have added so many more stories from Elders and others. We acknowledge them here, and in all our presentations and materials for their gracious sharing of their knowledge and ideas. With support from NSERC PromoScience, we are developing this into an activity that we can share beyond IndigeSTEAM's direct reach.
There are two components currently offered for this workshop:
Along side offering the kits for these workshops, we offer training to teachers and presenters so you can do this workshop in your location.
Math and Engineering of a Tipi: Age/Grade adjustable content. From shapes and tripods to how much more canvas do we need to enlarge our tipi. Geometry! Bernoulli's principal at work? We always start with history, social studies, geography, tipi art and meaning, and always, stories. How do you build a tipi? How does it work? "Now I know how a tipi works now!" Indigenous camper's comment after a camp workshop.
Biology and Chemistry of Paint: Age/Grade adjustable content. How would the ancestors have made the paints and dyes they used? - There was no Michael's to go to to buy paint! We use food products as pigments (thus the biology) and talk about chemistry things like solubility/insolubility, solubility in water or oil, pH, oxidation effects. Youth like to explore things like colour mixing. Culturally-relevant pigments may or may not be presented depending on Knowledge Keepers.
| Youth audiences | Indigenous audience | Non Indigenous audience |
|---|---|---|
| Mini tipi group kits | $10/person | $20/person* |
| Paint group kits | $10/person | $20/person* |
| Both group kits | $15/person | $30/person* |
| Training session | $50/hour | $50/hour |
| Indigenous presenter | $100/session | $100/session |
| Other audiences | ||
| Adult audience kits | $40 | $40 |
| Individual kits | $40 | $40 |
*Price / kit will be decreased by the number of free kits for Indigenous youth in the group.
Adult tipi paint nights are a fundraising activity for IndigeSTEAM. We welcome a chat with you to join us doing them in your location.
Indigenous presenters charge is for up to 3 hours virtually. Travel time and cost will be charged for in-person presenters (Calgary). Reserve locations, please contact us directly to book this activity.
We can provide kits bundled for individuals, but may charge extra for the time to do that packaging. Please inquire about availability and distribution.
For all kits, taxes and shipping are extra and added once your order is complete.
Photo:
Golden Eagle Feathers image by Peter Kaminski from San Francisco, California, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
