Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Aboriginal Skills, Part II



That's Jim Robertson, an instructor of aboriginal skills. In the above photo, he was demonstrating how to lie close to the ground and begin to move forward, tracking an animal. This man was wonderful -- craggy and handsome, he spoke of his deep reverence for the natural world, for animals and their environment. He told the kids that while he loved meat and ate it, he always took a bite knowing that the animal was a part of him and that he was a part of the animal. Jim doesn't believe in hunting or fishing for sport. He believes that we should respect where our food comes from and from whom.


Here Jim is showing the boys how to track a deer, how to slowly pick one's foot up and put it down, roll it in stay still and low and silent. It reminded me very much of what it looks like to do a walking meditation, and in some respects it was exactly that.



Here, Oliver is laying low like a deer, head down, unaware of a tracker behind him. If he heard the tracker, he lifted his head and the tracker, in turn, stood still and silent.



I love this picture, Oliver readying this boomerang thing that catches rabbits, the sun's rays over him. I think it's holy.






Here, Jim is demonstrating a bird trap. They worked for a long time on this, and it was intricate, careful and slow work. The other boys horsed around, but Oliver was completely into it.


Here Oliver is getting ready to shoot an arrow. I've mentioned it before, but The Husband is a sharp shooter, from his days in the compulsory Swiss bicycle cavalry (yes, he was in the Swiss bicycle cavalry). Oliver appears to have inherited his steady hand and eye coordination. A bow and arrow, a rifle -- anything requiring that sort of coordination and focus, is easy for Oliver and certainly a strength that was rarely recognized in a school setting.



Here's the broody sky that hung over us all afternoon.


I walked back up the trail toward the end of the day, cold and needing to warm up in my car. On my way back to get Oliver, I came upon probably twenty or more deer, silently nosing around a beautiful oak tree.
They stopped and twitched their ears, stared at me and continued sniffing and munching.  I felt free for a moment, of every single care.







Here's Jim Robertson's website.

16 comments:

  1. That is so amazing! My son would have loved this as well. He thrived in the Waldorf School (where skills like hand-eye coordination and musicality are valued), but really struggled in public HS. Now he is in art school taking classes with names like "Making" and "Materials" and is totally in his element once again. I'm so glad that you have made this move with Oliver. He looks so happy!

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  2. He learned more in that one day than a year of school.....

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  3. Oh, Elizabeth, Oliver looks so happy and engaged. How excellent for him to be able to participate in activities that allow him to express his mastery. It is a wonderful thing you have done for him and for your family. It seems as if your entire world is suddenly breaking open in unexpected and good ways. That moment of release for all your cares? Beautiful.

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  4. oh, elizabeth. this is such a gift you are giving oliver. what a real, important education...and it is so good for both of you, and really, for the whole family. the effects will spread, rippling through henry and sophie and your husband, too; no question.

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  5. It really is inexplicable, the level of emotion this thing you are doing stirs up in me. I am so happy to see Oliver cut loose. Released.

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  6. The picture with is hand on Oliver's shoulder is my favorite. It conveys so much.

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  7. It looks as though Oliver is not the only one learning through this new way of schooling.

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  8. I am so thrilled you have found a way of schooling that looks to be working so well for your son. He looks so happy and relaxed. How wonderful!

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  9. If you ever find yourselves on the East Coast please be in touch. I'd be happy to take Oliver on a field trip to the Freedom Trail, Lexington and Concord, etc!

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  10. Yes. Holy. Entirely. I love this with all my heart.

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  11. This is so wonderful and yes Holy and it is as it should be, all of it. I'm so happy for Oliver and for you. That one brilliant mind and heart opening moment!

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  12. This is beyond fabulous. Do you know about the Roving Archers that teach kids in the Arroyo near the Rose Bowl on Saturdays? If I recall, it's free.

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  13. Now THAT is school.

    And I loved "I felt free for a moment, of every single care." xo

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  14. My God, these photos are absolutely amazing! Love the one with the rays of the sun visible, streaking toward Oliver. What a wonderful experience and captured so beautifully!

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