VISIT THE MUSEUM

Inside the museum, located at the corner of Roads 228 & 225 in North Fork, California, are many artifacts and baskets on display donated and on loan by members of the Tribe. Other collections include weapons, traditional games, ceremonial items, tools, and beautiful beaded crafts. Also on display is the Tettelton Wildlife diorama collection - over 200 freestanding taxidermy animals from Northern America, Asia, and South America.

BASKET COLLECTION ~The Museum offers one of the largest displays of California Indian Basketry in the state. Also on exhibit are artifacts, weapons, tools, and the Tettelton Wildlife Animal Collection.

CRAFT DAY ~The museum has a workshop area where Elders make and instruct others in the art of Indian basketry and beadwork every Thursday from 11-1 p.m. "Craft Day" is open to the public to view works in progress. Because this is volunteer group participation and act ivies vary. You may find a large group or one or two crafters. Traditionally, Basketry and processing acorn is done in the fall. Those who wish to join and learn are asked to become a member [see form] and bring an item for the pot luck lunch. Everyone is welcome. Gathering practices are being taught to youth and weaving skills are demonstrated. Craft Day information: (559) 877-2233 Anne or Sandy

EDUCATIONAL TOURS FOR STUDENTS AND GROUPS

Our demonstration is from Western Mono, we offer information about the other tribes that lived in/around the area, and how our cultures may be similar based on trading, intermarriage, being nomadic moving from the mountains to the valley, and use of similar plant and animal resources. 

• Trade information on foods, materials, obsidian, shells, and beads, anything that had value since there was no money.
• Hunter/Gatherer Society: Men hunt, women gather, and each has their role to make sure the community ran smoothly and culture was maintained. 
• Baskets: Mono baskets were our "kitchen" utensils with shapes and sizes used for specific purposes. Gathering, Storing, trapping, fishing, cleaning, and cooking food. 
• Some tours [seasonal] offer acorns in different stages of the process and the mortars, pestles, cooking and cracking stones. Visitors are asked to guess what each basket was used for and explain how, then they get a chance to hold and use the baskets and ask questions.
• Natural Resources: Cultural knowledge and information is explained in that we had/have to survive our environment. Students are shown examples of the materials used to make the baskets and tools like soaproot brush and milkweed straps, and plants that could be used for food, medicine, tools, and baskets.
• Baby Baskets: an example of the milkweed cordage is shown and an explanation of how it's used for making straps, netting, clothing, and explain how the Mono adapted to using yarn so we can still maintain the tradition of raising babies in baskets. 
• We are a living culture, and still maintain our ways such as games, songs, language, basket making.
• Hands-on: Students move with Instructors who explains the process of making acorn mush, then they crack, shell, and grind acorn in the mortar and pestle and/or use the baskets to clean and sift.

PARTNERSHIP WITH BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT: The Sierra Mono Museum has partnered with Project Archaeology - project Archaeology is a comprehensive archaeology and heritage education program for everyone interested in learning or teaching about our nation’s rich cultural legacy and protecting it for future generations to learn from and enjoy. Project Archaeology includes publications, professional development for educators, networking opportunities, and continuing support for participants. Using an innovative hands-on approach to history, Project Archaeology teaches scientific inquiry, citizenship, personal ethics and character, and cultural understanding. For more information visit: Project Archaeology

LESSONS OF OUR CALIFORNIA LAND  is a standards-aligned curriculum that increases K-12 students' understanding of the history and meaning of California land, fostering appreciation for the motivations and knowledge of California Native American people who engage in land tenure, planning, and use issues. In 2004, the Indian Land Tenure Foundation published its nationally focused K-12 curriculum, Lessons of Our Land. Since then, various local and state curriculum adaptations have been completed, including statewide adaptations in Montana, Minnesota, and Idaho. Here we present a web-based California adaptation, Lessons of Our California Land. October 2011 update:  We have now posted multiple lessons focusing on the North Fork Mono Tribe and the South Central California region for every grade level. We are in the process of developing lessons for all other regions in California.  This is a living, dynamic curriculum; we are adding materials and enhancing lessons nearly every day.  Please check back often, and contact us with your comments, suggestions for improvement, and questions.LINK:  Lessons of Our California Land.

MUSEUM HOURS & ADMISSION INFORMATION: CLICK HERE

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