Youth learn American Indian skills during Ishi Gathering
OROVILLE — Laughter, squeals of delight and sunshine filled Hewitt Park Friday morning, as more than 900 kids learned primitive and American Indian skills.
Students were bused from schools in Butte, Yuba and Sutter counties to participate in a morning of learning and fun that was part of the Butte County Historical Society's Ishi Gathering and Seminar.
Joe Dabill of Southern California and Cherokee Phillips of Yuba City, showed students how to make fire with a wooden block and drill set.
"Fire-making is very much of an art," Dabill said. "It's a tough skill."
Participants rotated a long piece of wood — the drill — back and forth in the palms of their hands until the wood began smoking and sparking.
Sparks were caught in a tender nest made of mugwort leaves and cottonwood bark.
Then children blew into the nest to flare up flames. The tender nest could then be placed on kindling to start a fire.
Dabill has practiced and taught firemaking for 20 years. Philips is part of the American Indian Education Program at Marysville Joint Union High School District.
Pat Bennett, one of 90 volunteers who participated in the gathering in Hewitt Park, said this year's event largest one to date.
Volunteers helped youth learn many skills with hands-on lessons.
Skills included archery, basket weaving, cordage or rope making and cooking with acorns.
The Ishi seminar included this hands-on cultural day for youth co-sponsored by the American Indiancprogram three years ago.
The three-day seminar was part of Feather Fiesta days events that led up to the Feather Fiesta Days Parade this morning.
Events included a bus tour to historic sites, a film festival, a day-long seminar, dinner program and the hands-on skills day in Hewitt Park. A traditional archery tournament will take place today at Butte College.
All events focused on celebrating Northern California's native cultures and Ishi. Ishi was thought to be the last Yahi Indian when he was found near Oroville in 1911.
