4/24/2009 10:47:00 PM
Eagle Scout project is first step in creating a Native American village at Nature Center
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| Joanne O’Connor/Courtesy photo
Patrick O’Connor, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 1, supervised the construction of a teepee at the Prescott Nature Center for his Eagle Scout project. |
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A 26-foot teepee is the newest addition to the City of Prescott's Nature Center on Williamson Valley Road adjacent to Granite Mountain Middle School.
Patrick O'Connor, 15, worked with Jim Boyd of the city park department's lakes and open space division and Oglala Lacota native Sungmanitu-tanka to erect the teepee as his Eagle Scout project.
O'Connor selected the teepee from a list of projects Boyd has assembled for the Nature Center, as well as other city parks.
The Tri-City Prep freshman said, "Mr. Boyd has a vision of a Native American village at the Nature Center, but there was no one to set up the teepee. He would like to teach the public about Native American Culture."
Boyd said he would like the Native American village to represent more than just local tribes. He said he also would like to include a Hogan, a sweat lodge and a recreation of an archeological dig.
Boyd said the teepee, as well as the old schoolhouse, are "points of interest. We want local schools to use the Nature Center for educational purposes."
O'Connor, the members of Troop 1, families and friends built the teepee April 18. However, before the teepee went up, the Boy Scouts did some prep work April 4, clearing a 15-foot to 20-foot circle.
On Saturday, April 18, about 25 people gathered at the Nature Center to turn 19 poles and canvas into a teepee.
Luckily, O'Connor said, the teepee came with instructions.
The first step was to find the four longest poles and the strongest one, which had the canvas wrapped around it.
One the poles were in place, the scouts used rope to "whip them together. Then we placed the pole with the canvas and wrapped it around the frame like a blanket," O'Connor said.
The scouts laced the canvas to the poles and secured it to the ground with stakes. The young men then put an insulated liner inside the teepee.
The interior of the teepee includes a fire pit lined with rock. It was here that Sungmanitu-tanka conducted a traditional Native American Blessing Ceremony with authentic Native American items.
Boyd said O'Connor happened to meet Sungmanitu-tanka during a meeting to discuss setting up the teepee.
"I met with Patrick to talk about the project, and also at that meeting was a group of Native Americans. Patrick had a mentor," Boyd said.
Boyd said a group of Native Americans would paint authentic Native American paintings on the teepee.
O'Connor worked about 189 hours on his Eagle project. His hope is that "everyone in Prescott comes out and visits the Nature Center."
That is Boyd's hope also. He said the Nature Center is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The 18 acres have walking trails for all skill levels.
"Patrick is future leader. He is very polite and very respectful," Boyd said.
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Posted: Saturday, April 25, 2009
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thx on the project and as a scout leader it does and will make a difference to the community.
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