Students and staff will learn about one of history’s oldest known toys: the corn husk doll. Maggie will start the workshop with an introduction to her Indigenous culture, and will weave historical facts and the importance of community into the story of the corn husk doll. She will then teach students how to create their own doll, which they will then get to take home.

SETUP: Class divided into 3 groups

MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Bowls for soaking
– Scissors
– Table cloths

INDIVIDUAL KITS:
– Corn husks (approx. 5)
– Brown & orange ribbon

Students will be organized into groups of about 5, and will place their corn husks into bins full of water set up at each station. The husks will soak for the duration of Maggie’s presentation.

After the presentation, students will be asked to remove their husks from the water, thoroughly ringing them out. They will then be shown how to mold, fold, tie, and cut the husks to build their doll.

Complete with a head, arms, and a body, these faceless dolls will serve as an important reminder of the morals of the story of the doll, and a keepsake for the fun time they had learning to make it!