During their 1 year program stay each student will learn and experience the following:

• Care, husbandry, harvest, use, etc of bison and elk livestock and their byproducts using indigenous methods, herd management to allow the animals to live wild on managed land, eliminating the need for expensive feed, buildings, and other common farming care practices.

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• Planting and maintenance of the needed prairie and forest lands needed to sustain the animal and human population within our homestead community

 

• Basic life skills - cooking, sewing, cleaning, hygiene, etc 

 

• Pottery making, using harvested raw earth and purchased clay - fired via wood fire kiln and pit fire

 

• Plant and animal ID, Wisconsin state laws regarding hunting, fishing, trapping as it pertains to Native Americans and the general public.  

The skills of hunting, fishing, and trapping for food, clothing, shelter, ceremonial needs as the laws permit, the use of archery and non firearm practices

 

• Gardening to provide food for our homestead and the local community around us

 

• Native American crafting and instrument making, furniture making, how to set up an online store to sell their own personally made wares, education about Wisconsin state laws, federal laws, and tax laws pertaining to a hobby business.  A portion of these teachings are classroom work.

 

• Traditional ceremonial practices and teachings of the student's tribal heritage and inclusion with all others when unknown, along with assistance in tracing their heritage and connecting to their tribes, if possible.

 

• Music - The KICC music circle is both traditional and ceremonial, and will help to serve as music fundraising events for church incidental expenses and entertainment

 

• Talking Circle - This is our indigenous group counseling session, held regularly to help any who are struggling with emotional or mental crisis or any other need, and to learn to work out grievances in a peaceful, mature, and responsible way.

One on one counseling is available if needed/requested

 

• Basic vehicle maintenance and driving lessons/license for those who don't have one when they arrive, structured and restricted use of church vehicles.

 

• Classroom instruction - Learning the history of our Native American tribes/peoples up to present and current events that directly affect Native Americans, especially the youth.  This will include some form of tribal language restoration/lessons or participation in another program offered through a tribe.

 

• Experience in charity work as we raise and donate purposely raised excess food to our surrounding community

 

• Financial management classes and responsibilities

Each student will have and manage their own bank account, with assistance available on an as needed basis as they learn to manage their earned money responsibly.  A small allowance in the form of stipend pay will be given for specific tasks so no person is left penniless and 100% dependent on The KICC for personal needs outside of our program scope.  The amount of stipend pay will be dependent upon product sales and productivity of each individual/task completion on a bimonthly basis, as preparation for a real world employment situation.  

 

• Other farm animal husbandry as pertains to homestead food supplies and basic introduction to agriculture as an industry - education class

 

• Earthen building construction, from start to finish, while living in the finished dwelling and learning to maintain it through all 4 of Wisconsin's weather seasons.  Includes basic off grid plumbing and electrical installation and maintenance.  This teaches accomplishment in both individual and teamwork situations while teaching problem solving and self sustainability skills.

 

• Conservation land management - education classes and daily practices on the homestead