News5/5/08 We are building a new 24'x24' workshop at the Wells Satellite School. It will be a multi-use building. If you want to learn modern construction and energy efficient techniques, we would love help building it. Send Mal Stephens an email at mallorystephens(at)yahoo.com if you are interested.
4/22/08 Robin Blankenship is coming to Maine to teach two classes: Soap Making on May 2 and Primitive Skills Primer, May 3-4. We are looking forward to having her at the Delta Institute. These classes will be an exceptional opportunity to learn from one of the top primitive skills instructors in the country.
12/17/07 The following is a request from one of our community members- Armen Moridians:
To Carry 100 People On My Back A ritual and ceremony of devotion to the human family
First completed carry on Wednesday, November 28th 2007 completed carries: 4 remaining volunteers needed: 96 heaviest person carried: 160 pounds
As a child I grew up with the legend of Robin Hood. One of the most prominent images from that story is when Friar Tuck carries Robin across the river on his back. The reason this image interests me is because it speaks of devotion, employing both strength and stability, and surrender and submission. How many times have you wanted to be carried? I am looking for volunteers who will agree to let me carry them the distance of about 2 miles. I am located in Portland, Maine. The route starts on Congress Street, by the water at the end of Munjoy Hill, continues along Congress up to Monument Square, and back again. I stand about 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a light frame of 135 pounds. I am not big, but I am committed to carrying as many different kinds of shapes and sizes as my body, will, determination, and humanity will permit. The stipulation for the volunteers is that they must agree to write something about the experience which I will then post on my blog. Once the 100th person has been carried I will organize an improvised performance using the accumulated testimonials as material to close the ritual. My hope is that as many of the 100 as possible will be present. There is no time limit on this project, so there is no deadline. It could take years to complete, depending on how steadily the volunteers trickle in. If you are interested contact me at armen@openheartspace.net Thank you
12/10/07 Andy Dobos has started the first MPSS satellite outside of Maine in Northfield, Connecticut. He has added many new workshops to the 2008 Calendar including: Winter Shelters, Blanket Coat making, and a Didgeridoo Workshop. Northfield is located in the northwest corner of Connecticut- a half hour West of Hartford and twenty minutes North of Waterbury. Take a look at the Facilities page to see what his campus looks like.
10/25/07 We just received news that Arnie Neptune, last fluent speaking Penobscot elder, will be coming to the Ancestor's Festival on November 17. Please join us for this special event. The festival will start at 2pm with an opening ceremony, sweat lodge, and potluck. Please bring something to put in the fire as a gift to the ancestors and a dish to share at the potluck. Ends at 9pm.
8/6/07 We just got back from our Staff Survival Trip. The Extended Survival Knife was tested extensively and came through with flying colors. It was used as a saw, a bow drill socket, lashed to a pole as a spear, and of course, as a knife. It sliced, it diced, it chopped, and it split. We are extremely pleased with the design and manufacture of this knife. Kudos to Dan Gray at Gray Knives!
7/27/07 The first limited run of the MPSS Extended Survival Knife is in production. The cost of the knife is $230 plus shipping and Maine sales tax if applicable. If interested please contact Dan Gray of Gray Knives at 207-557-4468. Sheaths are available separately for $24.99.
5/15/07 We've got another new course on the docket. Armen Moradians will be teaching a one day workshop called The Sacred Letting Go on July 14. See the Courses page for a description. The New England Primitive Skills Gathering is coming up the weekend of June 9 &10. Held by the Algonquin Archers in Woodbury, Connecticut, it is not only about primitive skills, but it is also a 3D archery shoot- great fun and great folks. Dan Gray of Dan Gray Knives our custom knifemaker has received the blanks for the ESK, and we are waiting for the arrival of a new sheath that is being considered.
3/07 Two new classes are on the schedule- Survival Health 1: Basic Care and Survival Health 2: Expanded Care. They will be taught by Charly Aurelia, a primitive skills practitioner and an experienced paramedic. See Courses for a detailed description, and 2007 Calendar for dates.
We've got a new blog going called the Primitive Skills Network. We are trying to get people together to practice skills, and hopefully, this is the medium for it. There are a few of us who have been trying to get together, and now we are being more purposeful at it. We will attempt to journal our adventure so everyone can read about it. So if you are interested click on the Primitive SKills menu button on the left.
9/06 The prototype of the MPSS Extended Survival Knife is done and tested by staff on the annual staff survival trip. Made by Dan Gray of Gray Knives in Brownville, Maine, this is one tough knife. It was pounded, and bashed, it chopped, sawed, cut, and slashed, and it came through without a scratch, nick, or dent. A few minor modifications will be made, and we hope to put it into limited production. It has a six inch drop point flat ground blade with agressive saw teeth on the back. The handle is 5.25" made from canvas Mycarta(this may change) with bow drill socket. The knife has an extended tang for pounding without damaging the handle. The handles are removable and replacable. The steel is 1095 carbon steel which has been specially tempered to be extremely strong and hold an edge for a long time. The price for the knife and a Kydex sheath will be around $250. If you are seriously interested in ordering an ESK please send me an email and let me know.
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