Children learn about Native American culture by making crafts

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Crowley family members of Poway, from left, Colin and his sisters Baylee and Dakota, show off the clay pots they made. (Julie Gallant)

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Rancho Bernardo residents Salome Abegaz, 7, and Isabel Macaluso, 8, paint spirit rocks by copying Native American symbols. (Julie Gallant)

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Finneas Spiker, 6, sews a spirit pouch to hold a plastic bear using strips of leather and decorative material. (Julie Gallant)

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Fiona Spiker, 8, shows off her watercolor painting that depicts a sunset with a dolphin. (Julie Gallant)

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Poway resident Chloe Chan, 6, creates a watercolor painting designed with a rainbow, orange tree, flowers and the wind. (Julie Gallant)

City of Poway hosted the arts program at the Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center

By Julie Gallant

March 26, 2024 11:50 AM PT

Children painted rocks and watercolor landscapes, made clay pots and sewed treasure pouches at Poway’s Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center on March 16.

The morning activities were part of a city-sponsored Native American-Inspired Art Program designed to give kids a chance to experience Native American art and culture.

While 6-year-old Finneas Spiker made a pouch to hold his treasures, his mom Monica Spiker of Carlsbad talked about how she looks for activities that give her children a hands-on learning experience.

“I’m a teacher so I’m always looking for fun things to do with the kids on the weekends other than sports,” said Monica Spiker, a first-grade teacher at a private school in Carlsbad.

After making his treasure pouch, Colin Crowley, 6, tucked a toy squirrel inside. His sister, Baylee, 9, put a reindeer in hers and and Colin’s twin sister Dakota, 6, stashed a piggie in her pouch.

A thriving community of Native Americans populated Pauwai long before the Spanish arrived, the city’s Poway.org website stated. The evidence of their lives and work can be seen at the center, founded by a partnership among the city, Friends of the Kumeyaay and the San Pasqual Band of Indians.

Free docent-led hikes are available at the center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday of each month. The Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center is located at 13104 Ipai Waaypuk Trail, south of Poway Road.

For more information, call 858-668-4781.

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