The Native Americans offer us beautiful arts, crafts, and traditions. It’s fun to connect with their traditions through art with our children. Native Americans have long held a strong relationship with Mother Earth and have focused on preserving the environment long before the concept of ‘going green’ that we talk about today.
Making a Storyteller Animal Mask helps us understand how the Northwest Coast Indians taught their children important lessons about life. The storytellers of the native northwest coast people use many masks to weave tales. Their mask, made of wood painted with rounded, circular, and curvy designs, helps the listeners understand who the story is about. Of course, mask carvers often get their ideas from the world of animals around them. Many of the stories speak of living in harmony with nature.
Storyteller Animal Mask
Materials:
White paper plate
Wooden tongue depressor or Popsicle stick
Markers, tape, stapler, hole punch, scissors
Step 1:
Cut 2.5 inch slits on opposite sides of the plate as shown. Then poke with tip of scissors or use hole punch to add eye holes.
Step 2:
Staple and tape the wooden stick on the inside of the plate at the bottom.
Step 3:
Turn the plate over and decorate the plate bottom with markers (crayons or paints will work fine too). Make an animal face using very simple curves and ovals.
Step 4:
Overlap the slits and staple closed. This will cause the plate to bend out.
Step 5:
Hold the mask by the wooden handle and place over face while telling story!
Tip: Before you start this project it might be fun to have your child do a search on the Internet for Northwest Coast Indian Art for some designs ideas as well as to advance their education! Have fun!
