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Cultural Skills Medals

The Sons of Norway Cultural Skills program is designed to serve several purposes: to encourage active participation in cultural activities, to enrich the lives of members of all ages, to provide the basis for special interest clubs and to provide new reasons for people to join Sons of Norway!

Specialist Track: The specialist award defines you as an expert in any one subject area. There are 3 parts to this track --

 

  1. Learn the basics
  2. Complete a larger project
  3. Create and execute a new design or recipe of some sort (depending on skill chosen.)

Generalist Track

The generalist award requires diversity and the pin is awarded to any person who demonstrates basic skills in 3 different subject areas. (See list below.)

David and Nancy McCord and David and Marilyn Olstad have been very active in the Norwegian dance groups in Hanska, Minnesota.

Mentor Track: This track is for formal or informal teachers who help others in earning the above medals.

Master of Cultural Skills: Any of the above 3 tracks may lead to the Master's pin. To earn this medal, a person must complete all 3 levels of three activities or the basic level of 9 activities.

Cultural Skills Medals Currently Available

1. Traditional Norwegian Cooking

  • Level 1--Your Favorites
  • Level 2--Baked Goods and Desserts
  • Level 3--Meat or Fish Dishes

2. Reading Norwegian and Norwegian-American Authors

  • Level 1--Your Favorites
  • Level 2--Fiction
  • Level 3--Nonfiction

3. Collecting Norwegian and North American Stamps

  • Level 1--Collect General Norwegian & North American Stamps
  • Level 2--Specialize Your Stamp Collection
  • Level 3--Complete a Collection of a Ten-Year Period

4. Norwegian Rosemaling

  • Level 1--Basic Strokes, Flower Form, and Scroll
  • Level 2--Completed Design 
  • Level 3--Create an Original Design

5. Genealogy--Family History

  • Level 1--Complete people 1­7 on a four-generation ancestor chart, etc.
  • Level 2--Complete four more people on the ancestor, family group chart, and document
  • Level 3--Complete all information for 15 people on the charts--document and write an essay

6. Hand Knitting

  • Level 1--The Basics
  • Level 2--Knit with Two Colors
  • Level 3--Create a Two or Multicolored Sweater (Based on Norwegian Designs)

7. Norwegian Language and Culture

  • Level 1--The Basics of Norwegian Language
  • Level 2--A Sampling of Norwegian Culture
  • Level 3--A Topic from Norwegian Language or Norwegian Culture

8. Hardanger Embroidery

  • Level 1--The Basics
  • Level 2--Complete a Larger Item
  • Level 3--Using Your Skills in Creative Ways

9. Figure Carving

  • Level 1--The Basics
  • Level 2--Complete a Detailed Carving
  • Level 3--Complete an Original Carving

10. Weaving

  • Track I
  • Level 1--The Basics-Make a Sampler
  • Level 2--Inkle or Card Weaving or Rigid Heddle--Complete a Project
  • Level 3--Create an Original Design
  • Track II (Floor or Table Loom Weaving)
  • Level 1--Produce a Sampler
  • Level 2--Make a Finished Project
  • Level 3--Create an Original Design

11. Ornamental Woodcarving

  • Level 1--The Basics
  • Level 2--Flatskurd
  • Level 3--Carve the Acanthus

12. Chip Carving

  • Level 1--The Basics
  • Level 2--Carve Borders
  • Level 3--Carve Rosettes

13. Folk Dancing

  • Level 1--Easy Dances
  • Level 2--Intermediate Dances
  • Level 3--Advanced Dances

14. Music and Musicians of Norway

  • Level 1--Folk Music: Roots of Norwegian Music
  • Level 2--The Nineteenth Century: Edvard Grieg & Contemporaries
  • Level 3--The Twentieth Century: Composers, Performers, Conductors

After becoming a member, you can begin earning the above medals. Specific requirements will be given to you when you join. Also note -- these skills change frequently! Once you have become a member, you can check out the current list in the "members only" section of the International Sons of Norway Site. (Note: there are also online booklets, and hints to help you complete each medal successfully!)

For more information on this program, please contact our Cultural Director.