Caregivers of Muscogee children invited to test at-home cultural toolkit

December 17, 2025

Written By:  Rachael Schuit 

(TVLSE, Okla.) Catalyst News is looking for families with Muscogee children between the ages of 0 and 5 to test out an at-home toolkit of cultural resources. 

These toolkits are part of the “Rooted Together” project, which aims to support families with cultural teachings and tools to pass on to Muscogee children in their care.

Decades of forced assimilation have left many parents and other at-home caregivers of Native children without the resources or connections to pass on traditional teachings and values. 

RaeLynn Butler, Secretary of Culture and Humanities for the Muscogee Nation, said the culture of the Muscogee people such as language and history are central to who they are as people.

“And it's always good to have that reinforced in the home,” Butler said. “It's not something that is taught in the public school system K through 12. And there are many situations where families didn't grow up necessarily on the reservation or maybe not as a part of the Native community. That kind of attention, of resources, to try to educate people on Muscogee history and culture.” 

Rooted Together: A Cultural Guide for At-Home Caregivers of Native American Children is a collaborative project led by Catalyst News in partnership with the Muscogee Nation Cultural Department, Muscogee Nation Child and Family Services. It is funded by a grant from The Oklahoma Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success.

This toolkit is also being developed with feedback Catalyst News received during a community session at the Eufaula Indian Community center in October.  

Elders and other community members shared their thoughts on what types of cultural teachings should be passed on to the next generation. 

Public comments included: 

• “I would like for young people to know more than I know about their Native culture.”

• “This all has to do with the self-esteem that goes along with knowledge of our culture. I feel that we need to be fostering morals in our children that they may never otherwise be exposed to. There are many opportunities to teach such characteristics by our stories.”

• “A lot of kids don’t know anything about their tribes and cultures. Especially some of the mixed races. And it’s important to keep our traditions and family history alive.” 

• “If children aren’t taught about our beliefs and traditions there’s no one left to continue them on.”

The toolkit will include 12 weeks of activities and reflections that focus on Muscogee language, music, art, history, traditional foods, and spirituality. 

Each activity will have an age-appropriate modifier, ensuring all children 0-5 will be able to participate. The toolkit is also being developed to be “baby-safe”. 

Though the idea was originally conceived for non-Native caregivers and mixed-race families, Butler made it clear from the beginning that if Muscogee Nation was to be involved, all caregivers of Muscogee children will be invited to test the toolkit, including households with two Muscogee parents.

“I think that it has a broader reaching impact for the Nation as a whole and for our citizens, regardless of where they're at or what situation they find themselves in,” Butler said. “And so I think it's great to partner with one another to put our resources and help together to meet this need that has been identified by several people.”

Ten toolkits will be created for the initial round of testing. In addition to receiving a toolkit and training resources, caregiver households will also receive a $100 stipend. 

If you are interested in becoming a toolkit tester, please fill out the form here.