Charles Kritzon

Ancestral Arts Educator

For over 30 years, Chuck has been studying how ancient hunter-gatherer cultures successfully lived in harmony with the land. In the process he has mastered the fundamental primitive technologies of creating fire by friction, stone tool production, making string and rope from wild plant resources and how ancestral peoples enlivened their worlds with sound, music, color and ornament utilizing only resources from their natural environment.

He has taught these skills to thousands of students of all ages across the western U.S and Canada at numerous classes, workshops and camps. Chuck worked as a staff member at the Maidu Museum and Historic site for over 13 years acting as an educator, guide, exhibit coordinator and leader of classes and camps for children and adults.

Ancestral and cultural arts programs and lectures have been presented at CSUS, the California Academy of Science, UC Davis, American River and Foothill Colleges and at multiple California State Parks units.

He created Willow Deer Education 10 years ago as the foundation of his teaching work and to regularly share new posts, insights and articles about how ancient peoples interacted with the natural world in balanced respectful manner. Facebook and Instagram regularly show new content and with the addition of the Willow Deer Education YouTube Channel, he has expanded his teaching mission to incorporate a wider educational audience. His initial “How to make a bone whistle” tutorial video has over 21,000 views.

Coming from an aerospace/technical background, Chuck also incorporates many of the basic STEM lessons in regard to ancient technologies. Chuck is also a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI).

For decades, Chuck has been a volunteer with California State Parks, and has trained numerous volunteers, rangers and staff in interesting and creative ways to share California’s Native history with the public. Until recently, he was an archeological site monitor for Ca. State Parks at the Peace Valley Unit in the Sutter Buttes. He also worked for 2 years as an educator/mentor at the United Auburn Indian Community’s K-12 school.

Published Papers

The Bulletin of Primitive Technology and primitiveways.com website:

• The versatile molcajete and scallop baking shells.
• Supplies for the Urban Abo.
• How to Paint a Mammoth, overview of Paleolithic cave painting methods.
• Traditional Fishing With Native Plant Chemicals, a Pandemic Overview.
• The Iceman’s Belt.
• Secrets of Sinew: Collagen Strengths and Weaknesses.
• Stinging Nettle: a Pandemic Overview.
• Native Californian traditional amusements:
• Walnut Shell Dice.
• Acorn Toys and Games.
• Cedar and Cattail Doll.
• The Hoko Knife Revisited.
• More fun with Oak Trees.
• Ring and Pin Games.