On June 19-20, 2014, McNeese Education professor Dr. Michelle Haj-Broussard taught a class on how to teach Koasati in an immersion setting. Throughout the two-day workshop, Dr. Broussard taught students how to develop Koasati curriculum, teaching materials, and songs and games that can be used to promote Koasati language use in both formal school settings and informal learning or home settings. The class consisted of 25 students ages 23-80. Please click this link to watch videos of some of the work that was done in the workshop.
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In the beading workshops on July 17th and 18th, 2014, students learned how to make beaded earrings with seed beads and bugle beads. Cindy James from Durant, OK taught four beading classes consisting of 55 students altogether.
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From June 17th, 2014 to July 3rd, 2014, 15 students attended a basket making workshop. After a total of eight sessions, each of these students was able to start and complete a traditional Koasati pine needle basket on their own. We appreciate the help of the six teachers, who are respected tribal basket makers, that worked with each student on a one-on-one basis. We plan to continue this class in the future with additional class times for adults to attend.
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The Hoop Dance workshop was taught by Bryan Williams. Of the 6 students who attended, each one received a handmade, custom-fitted set of hoops. The workshop started on February 20th and continued for five sessions.
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On March 11th, 2014, 12 people attended a four-week course to learn how to make traditional moccasins. Because of the popularity of the class, another workshop was started on April 8th. The second class was taught by Tyler Greymountain to 10 students for four weeks.
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