Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant
ACHF Cultural Heritage
The North Beltrami Heritage Center in collaboration with the Bemidji and Blackduck History Centers will provide access for over 200 rural elementary students and local community members from Bemidji, Blackduck, and Kelliher to a dramatic presentation by Minnesota History Player, George Nelson, about the Minnesota fur trade from 1786-1859. Audience members will learn through dramatic presentation, costume, props and artifacts, the roles of traders, clerks, Voyageurs, and Indian suppliers in the Great Lakes fur trade. It is out hope that these presentations will also create a positive attitude towards dramatic presentations and create an awareness of local history groups.The Beltrami History Groups will provide a written evaluation form to be completed by students and compiled by the North Beltrami Heritage Center and collaborative history groups. We will also forward digital “post visit” information to each school group including George Nelson’s biography and copies of lesson plans for Minnesota grades k-3 and Grades 4-8 that fit state social study standards.
According to the Fur Trade Clerk Surveys completed by students, their comments indicated an understanding of the role they chose (trader, clerk, voyageur, Indian supplier) by describing tasks accomplished by the role. Students also commented on what each trade partner offered and what benefits they received. The compilation of surveys and onsite observation of student and community members were helpful in determining the overwhelming positive response to the history player’s presentation.
Other, local or private