Recalling state's past

For two hours Tuesday morning, Jackson County Public Library's meeting room in Seymour was transformed to a time when hunting, tanning hides and making clothes from plant fibers was a way of life for those who roamed the ancient lands of what is now the United States.

Sheryl Hartman, who leads programs for Piankeshaw Trails and is also the founder and managing director of the group, gave around 25 children and adults a hands-on introduction to how Native Americans, especially those who inhabited Indiana, lived from the land.

Hartman explained how the Miami Indians, who resided in northern Indiana, were a "very resourceful bunch." The group went through the entire process of how the Miamis would have killed an animal, tanned its hide and then made clothing and other necessities out of it, using every part.

The younger ones in the crowd became particularly excited at being able to use real animal brains on a deer hide, and adults and children alike bent over the animal skin for their chance to try it. Hartman said that every animal has enough brains to tan its own hide.

Besides allowing the children to try on traditional garb, Hartman debunked many myths surrounding Native American culture. She stressed the importance of researching for yourself, because even those with doctorate degrees make mistakes in national museums. Hartman started researching artifacts on display throughout the country and found that several relics were mislabeled.

Judy Bobb came to the program with her grandson, Patrick DeBoor, 8, and both actively participated.

"He loves it," Bobb said of how her grandson enjoys American Indian history.

Bobb was called up to hold a beaver fur, and it was explained that the little animal was the cause of the Beaver Wars because of overkill by the American Indian population. Others were able to hold the skins of animals such as bobcats, foxes, skunks and raccoons.

Hartman explained the Woodland Indian history from prehistoric times all the way up to when the first white man stepped foot in Indiana and began trading European luxuries for furs.

History was the driving force for the attendance of several participants.

"I came because I wanted to see a lot of history," said Dylan Baldwin, 10, who was there with his grandmother. "I wanted to learn a lot more and see what happened."

Baldwin went to the right program for a history lesson, considering Hartman has a degree in anthropology and has been studying Native American Woodland Indians for 25 years.

"I married a Miami Indian," Hartman said. "A lot of the younger (Miami Indian) generation lost interest in their history."

Hartman was so fascinated by their history she went back to school to learn more. Since then she has not only written a book, but she has built hundreds of life-size wigwams, has even lived like the American Indians used to and puts on programs for groups year-round through her nonprofit organization, Piankeshaw Trails Woodland Indian Programs.

"My experience talking to you," said Hartman, "comes from education and real, personal experiences."

Although Hartman has a great love for all history, she said of her American Indian studies, "This is my real passion."

History was the driving force for the attendance of several participants.

"I came because I wanted to see a lot of history," said Dylan Baldwin, 10, who was there with his grandmother. "I wanted to learn a lot more and see what happened."

Baldwin went to the right program for a history lesson, considering Hartman has a degree in anthropology and has been studying Native American Woodland Indians for 25 years.

"I married a Miami Indian," Hartman said. "A lot of the younger (Miami Indian) generation lost interest in their history."

Hartman was so fascinated by their history she went back to school to learn more. Since then she has not only written a book, but she has built hundreds of life-size wigwams, has even lived like the American Indians used to and puts on programs for groups year-round through her nonprofit organization, Piankeshaw Trails Woodland Indian Programs.

"My experience talking to you," said Hartman, "comes from education and real, personal experiences."

Although Hartman has a great love for all history, she said of her American Indian studies, "This is my real passion."

About Hartman

For information about Sheryl Hartman and her programs, go to www.piankeshawtrailsedu.org or you may e-mail her at Sheryl@piankeshawtrailsedu.org