Meanings of the Mask | The Farmers' Museum

Summary:

In this popular program, students will take a virtual tour of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, especially its series of Yup’ik ceremonial masks. While learning about these Alaskan masks, a museum educator will play an interactive game with students geared toward teaching important facts about a Native American culture and the importance of natural resources to these groups. Students will then be prepared for the post-lesson activity of making their own masks based on shapes, materials, and ideas included in the Yup’ik masks. Read more ...

Concept:

This program explores Native American cultures, particularly the Yup’ik culture of the Alaskan tundra and other cultures from the Northwest Coast. The idea of ceremony in their cultures is discussed, and students will look at masks from this region to see how they are connected to culture and environment.

Objectives:

• Introduce students to the ceremonial, cultural, and artistic meanings of traditional and
contemporary masks of the Yup’ik Indians of Western Alaska.
• Study people of other cultures to learn about their customs, natural resource use, food and shelter, and other important components of culture.
• Help students learn math, science, and geography through the use of three-dimensional art.

Meanings of the Mask Activity Page (pdf)

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Grade Level:

3rd to 7th