Rooted Together toolkit builds cultural connections with Muscogee kids

(TVLSE, Okla.) Seven families with Muscogee children are feeling more connected to their Native culture after spending 12 weeks exploring Muscogee culture, traditions, and language through the Rooted Together Toolkit. 

Developed by Catalyst News in partnership with the Muscogee Nation Native Youth Community Project, the toolkit was designed to help parents and caregivers feel more confident teaching their children about Muscogee culture. Families recently shared feedback about their experiences using the toolkits and how the toolkit helped them strengthen cultural connections.

“I love this concept and feel that it’s so important for children to be reconnected while reconnecting the parents,” one participant shared in the post-program survey. “This was such a great experience and really helped my confidence as a parent to speak these words in our Native language so they can then hear it from me and then repeat from a trusted person.”

Toolkit topics included music and movement, arts and crafts, spiritual reflections, and daily living. Flash cards, activity materials and instructional videos were also included. 

Activities were designed for children between the ages of 0 and 5. 

The Rooted Together toolkit was developed over the course of a year, with community feedback helping shape its activities and resources. The project also gathered input from non-Native parents about the challenges they face when teaching their children about Muscogee culture.

Overall feedback from the families who used the toolkits was positive.

“This was an amazing idea, executed so well, and made me so proud to be Mvskoke,” another participant reflected.

Results from surveys conducted before and after the 12-week program showed an increase in cultural engagement among five of the seven participating families.

Across 17 measures of cultural engagement, the average score increased by 7.6%. Some of the largest improvements in activities related to the toolkit included singing Native songs, using or knowing the Muscogee language, preparing Native foods and learning about Native history.

Two parents who reported never leading Muscogee cultural activities at home before the program said they had begun doing so by the end of the 12 weeks.

Five of the seven parents surveyed said they felt “a great deal” more prepared to share Muscogee culture with their children.

Six parents said they were very likely to continue using the toolkit, and the same number said they would recommend it to other families with Muscogee children.

Parents also offered suggestions for improving the toolkit, including adding more storytelling and creating opportunities for families to come together and participate in cultural activities.

“I do wish this was in person so kids can be with other kids and learn songs and the alphabet as an after school program," one caregiver shared. “I want my children to be around other kids who are learning the same and can build from the ground up with the community and parents as well.”

The Rooted Together project was funded through a $50,000 grant from The Oklahoma Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success. In addition to support from the Muscogee Nation Youth Community Project, the toolkit project was also supported by the Mvskoke Language Department, Muscogee Nation Child and Family Services, Muscogee Nation Historic and Cultural Preservation Department and Eufaula Indian Community. Cassandra Thompson, curriculum specialist for Muscogee Nation Youth Services, helped develop the curriculum.

Moving forward, Catalyst News hopes to make the toolkit available to more families with Muscogee children and encourage other tribes and tribal cultural departments to adapt the model to their own cultures, languages and traditions.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published by Catalyst News, a sister organization of Crosswinds News.