The Nokomis Native American Cultural Learning Center is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the history, Arts, and culture of the Anishinaabe people - the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi nations. The Center fulfills this mission through programs, exhibitions and special events.
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Programs
Program Information
The Nokomis Learning Center provides a variety of programs for groups of all ages as well as maintaining general open hours for individual visitors. On average the Center provides 275 tour programs a year to groups ranging in size from 15 to 120 people and larger for site visits. While most programs are provided for visitors to the Center, the educational staff also conducts numerous outreach programs throughout lower Michigan. As part of the Center's mission, numerous special projects, publications and exhibitions have been created. Some examples of these are listed below.
Core Programs:
- Sacred Cycles/Native Circles (60 – 90 Minutes)
Please call the center for pricing and availability.
Includes information about lifestyles of the Three Fires people – past and present. It also includes basic teachings of the Medicine Wheel and the spiritual life of the Anishnabe. A craft will be done, along with an age appropriate game.
*Site visits also available. Call the center for availability.
- Fur Trade Program (60 – 90 Minutes)
Please call the center for pricing and availability.
This includes information on the fur trade era and how it impacted the Anishnabe lifestyle.
*Site visits also available. Call the center for availability.
Add-On Programs:
Any of these may be selected when you book one of the core programs:
- Native Dance and Powwow Traditions
Please call the center for pricing, availability and more information on program content.
One presenter – The presenter will be dressed in dance regalia, and will discuss powwow traditions and their dance outfit. There is no dance demonstration in this program.
- Native Lunch
Please call the center for pricing, availability and more information on program content.
- At the center only
Choice 1: Choice of Corn Soup or Blanket Dog with chips, juice, and a dessert.
Choice 2: Indian Taco, with juice, and a dessert.
- Contemporary Issues
Please call the center for pricing, availability and more information on program content.
- recommended for 5th grade and up
Discussions for older students on Mascot issues, Treaties and Sovereignty, Tribal Legal issues, and any other discussion that the teacher would like to focus on.
- Dream Catcher Workshop
Please call the center for pricing, availability and more information on program content.
- recommended for 6th grade and up
- Nature Walk
Please call the center for pricing, availability and more information on program content.
- recommended for 3rd grade and up
- At the center only
Take a walk around the center and learn about food and medicine plants, and how plant life was used in every day life in the past and present.
Special Presentations:
This would include story telling or any other special topic:
- Please call the center for pricing, availability and more information on program content.
* Site visits also available. Call the center for availability.
School-Wide Assembly Programs:
- Native American Dance
Please call the center for pricing, availability and more information on program content.
- Two presenters (60 minutes)
- recommended for 6th grade and up
* This program may be shown at the Nokomis Learning Center for smaller groups.
This program includes two dancers who will demonstrate their style of dance. The dancers will talk about their dance outfits and tell the students about their style of dance. The dancers will also get the students to participate by teaching them a Round Dance and a Two Step. These are old social dances that are still being done today. Dancers will also take questions from the students
Other Programs:
Nokomis Learning Center also offers a number of other programs throught our Speaker's Bureau which can be offered both at the Center and off-site at your meeting place. We have crafters, dancers, drummers, and speakers available to present on a number of topics. See our Speaker's Bureau information for more about programming possibilities.
Scheduling in advance is required for curriculum programs. So, call Ann, at (517) 944-0182 or the Center at (517) 349-5777, to reserve your day and time. Please schedule at least 3 weeks in advance of your desired date as slots fill up quickly during these school months. Miiguich.
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Teacher Resourses/Curricula
Educator Memberships:
Educators may purchase memberships to Nokomis Learning Center for the special discounted rate of $20.00. Membership includes our quarterly newsletter to keep you updated on Nokomis happenings and offerings, invitations to special events, and 10% off gift shop purchases and building rentals. In addition, the educator membership also entitles the member to special offers on educational materials.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Nokomis Learning Center download the Membership Form and fill it out. Drop it in the nearest mailbox or bring it with you to one of our many events!
Gift Shop Items of Interest to Educators:
There are many items in our gift shop designed to be useful for educators and students of all ages. We have books, instructional materials, visual aides, and much more, all of which are a perfect fit in any classroom or home learning library.
Please visit our gift shop to browse and purchase these items.
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Becoming A Member:
The Nokomis Learning Center's Annual Membership can be downloaded and printed. Drop it in the nearest mailbox or bring it with you to one of our many events!
You are invited to become a member
Become a friend of the Nokomis Learning Center and discover the exciting culture of the Native American peoples who have lived in the Great Lakes region for thousands of years!
Your membership will help support the Center's mission and better serve the thousands of school children who visit our facility annually. Each year schools, scouting groups and individual visitors enjoy a "hands-on" learning experience with knowledgeable members of our staff and volunteers.
Since its founding in 1988, Nokomis has hosted numerous exhibitions and educational programs, published several books, and been a model for many other institutions around the nation. We invite you to become a part of our efforts to promote Michigan’s rich Native American heritage.
Benefits of membership include:
- Our quarterly newsletter
- Invitations to special events and educational programs
- Special offers on educational materials (Student and Educator membership only)
- 10% off gift shop purchases and facility rentals
Miigwech (Thank you!)
Download the Membership Form (Requires the free Adobe Reader application). Download the Board Membership Application. Download Board Membership Background Information Form.
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Call for Volunteers
The Nokomis Learning Center truly appreciates volunteers who can offer their time and talents to furthering the mission of the Center.
There are many activites for volunteers to participate in at Nokomis including:
- Gardening
- Assisting with Special Events
- Filing/Clerical Work
- Grant Research
- Program Ideas
- Creating Newsletters
- ...and much more!
If you or anyone you know may be interested in becoming a volunteer at Nokomis Please feel free to stop in and discuss how we can work together to build a stronger community or download and mail in our volunteer form.
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Board Members
President
Theron E. Moore
theronemoore@hotmail.com
Vice President
Judith Pierzynowski
jpierzynowski@msn.com
Secretary
Kathy Yates, BASW
anarchy353@yahoo.com
Jannus Cottrell
rainmakr11@hotmail.com
William T. Cross II
bcross1697@aol.com
Megan McCullen
mccull58@msu.edu
Geri Roossien
emilia-roos@hotmail.com
Jim Sumbler
sumbler@msu.edu
Steve Perry, M.A.
edubigfoot@hotmail.com
Liz Gorecki
goreckie@cvm.msu.edu
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