Native American Interpretive Center and Cedar Bark House

Slide Show: The Building of the Cedar Bark House

Native American games and storytelling give students an opportunity to experience what Native children might have experienced hundreds of years ago.

Sly Park's Native American Interpretive Center (NAIC) was designed to provide students with an opportunity to experience an understanding and respect for the Native American culture, through the use of hands-on learning centers. The learning centers include acorn grinding, fire making, spear hoop and other games, flintknapping, pictograph writing.

The NAIC has artifacts representing all areas of the Miwok culture and lifestyle. Our collection includes many baskets, musical instruments and jewelry. On loan to Sly Park from the U.S. Forest Service are various artifacts including mortars, pestles and obsidian points.

Our new addition to Sly Park is the Cedar Bark House pictured above. It was built by Charlie "Storm Owl" Duncan, a master Native American architect and Native Elder.  The elegant craftsmanship and natural beauty of this bark house are unequalled.   There have been many Native bark houses built in California, however, Charlie's work seems to be the highest quality and most realistic. One could actually live it this structure. Charlie's work has been featured in News from Native California and other publications.  Charlie can be reached at (530)472-3265.