Agnes Vanderburg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Agnes Vanderburg
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Agnes Vanderburg in Arlee, Montana in 1979
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| Born | 1901 Arlee |
| Died | 1989 |
| Occupation | teacher |
| Nationality | American |
Mary "Agnes" Vanderburg (1901 – 1989) was an important Native American teacher, translator, and writer. She belonged to the Salish people from the Flathead Reservation in Montana, USA. Agnes worked hard to share her culture and traditions with others.
Agnes Vanderburg's Life Story
Agnes Vanderburg was born in 1901 near Arlee, Montana. Her family was part of the Salish people. In 1920, she married Jerome Stanislaus Vanderburg. They lived and worked on a farm near Arlee. They had two sons, Joe and Eneas.
After her husband passed away in 1974, Agnes started something special. She created a "culture camp" in Valley Creek, the place where she was born. This camp began in 1981. Every summer, Native American children came to learn about their heritage. They learned about their culture and old traditions.
The camp became very well-known. A folklorist named Kay Young visited and wrote about it. She saw Agnes preparing and cooking Camus roots. Cooking these plants takes three days. It also takes skill to pick the right plant, as some similar plants are poisonous.
Even though the reservation had "No Trespassing" signs, many children came. Not just Native American kids, but others too. Some visitors stayed in RVs, and Agnes had her own trailer. At the camp, people learned traditional crafts. They used modern glues when helpful, but there was no running water or electricity. You could learn how to decorate buckskin. You also learned about the traditional uses of native plants. The camp grew popular without any advertising.
Awards and Lasting Impact
In 1983, Agnes Vanderburg received a special honor. She won the Montana Governor's Arts Award. This award was for her work in Folk & Traditional Art. The Smithsonian Institution also recognized her important contributions.
The summer camp she started is still active today. It is now called the "Agnes Vanderburg Camp." Salish Kootenai College helps organize it. The camp is part of their Native American Studies courses. Students learn many traditional skills there. These include:
- Basket weaving
- Beading
- Dyeing
- Making traditional jewelry
- Creating arrow heads, flutes, and drums
Agnes Vanderburg's camp continues to teach young people about their rich cultural history.
