Canku Ota
	(Many Paths)
	An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
	December 29, 2001 - Issue 52
	Little Buffalo Crafts
	editor's note: We, at "Canku Ota" were introduced to the Osseo Indian Education Program after one of the fifth grade classes found us! Priscilla Buffalohead and her staff are doing an amazing job. Not only have they started "Little Buffalo Crafts" but, they also have a newsletter called "Oshki Mazina 'Igan" (New Magazine), cultural classes, guest speakers and much more. We are honored to be a small part of this wonderful program. Pidamaya yedo.
	Some of the many crafts available at Little Buffalo Crafts

The Indian Education Program of the Osseo Area Schools focuses on the educational needs of American Indian students. The goals of our program are to: provide all American Indian students with an opportunity to participate in classes and other planned activities which promote their understanding and respect for their cultural heritage; provide advocacy services for all American Indian students which will encourage them to value their heritage, education, and a healthy lifestyle and encourage them to stay in school and prepare for a successful future. Services available include: one on one counseling, culture heritage classes, advocacy for students and parents, mentorships, cultural resource information, classroom presentations, college scholarship application assistance, visits to college campuses, special events, field trips, newsletters, and the opportunity for student participation in a unique student business enterprise, Little Buffalo Crafts. Little Buffalo Crafts is an American Indian student enterprise. The students who participate, in this enterprise attend the Osseo, Minnesota area schools. The mission of the enterprise is to produce high quality and historically authentic crafts at affordable prices. The students who participate come from a wide variety of tribal backgrounds including Ojibwe students from Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, Dakota and Lakota students from reservations and communities in the Upper Midwest and students who are Potawatomi, Ho Chunk, Washoe, Cheyenne, Comanche, Cherokee, Mohawk, Carrier, Powhawtan, and Alaskan Native. The students make all of the crafts for the enterprise and mentors from the American Indian community assist them. Profits from sales are placed in a student activity fund. At the end of the school year, the profits are divided on the basis of a point system among the participating students. Little Buffalo Crafts began as an enterprise during the 1997-98 school year with funding provided by the Two Feathers Fund of the St. Paul Foundation. For the 1998-99 school year, funds have been provided by the Grotto Foundation, the Minnesota Trade and Economic Development Office through a Youth Entrepreneurship Grant, and the American Indian Language and Culture Education Program.   For further information contact Priscilla Buffalohead at (612) 391-7102 or Michele Sterner at (612) 391-7093. Or visit the website at: http://www.osseo.k12.mn.us/SPECIAL/ie/index.html

	Canku Ota is a free Newsletter celebrating Native America, its traditions and accomplishments . We do not provide subscriber or visitor names to anyone. Some articles presented in Canku Ota may contain copyright material. We have received appropriate permissions for republishing any articles. Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to those who have expressed an interest. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.
	Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.
	The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the
	Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 of Paul C. Barry.
	All Rights Reserved.