The
North American Frontiersmen
Association
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Boone's parents first settled in 1730 in a region populated by many diverse people - English, Welsh, Scots-Irish, Germans, Swedes, Huguenots & Lenape Indians. Daniel
was born in 1734 spending his first 16 years with his family before
starting a life long adventure of being one of our country’s first
frontiersmen. Daniel
Boone was one of the most adventurous of our heroes, the huntsman from
An
inveterate pioneer, Boone continued to move West. After the
Revolutionary War, he settled for a few years in |
Frontiersmen (frdn-tlzé man) n. A man living in a frontier area, an independent individual with skills to survive on ones own ability. This description says it all “A man living in a frontier area, an independent individual with skills to survive on ones own ability.” Remember the term “man” refers to either sex, male or female that lives on the frontier or borderlands (settlements near by that area). This is interesting when you go a step further, it’s not just the adventurer, explorer or trapper, but everyone, skilled or unskilled that where involved in the development of this land. This is why the “North American Frontiersmen” was formed to meet those missed by other associations and organizations. Now you have a home that covers all the various labors of the new world from the camp follower to the highly skilled trappers that roamed from 1750 to 1843. |
The
NAF (North American Frontiersmen) is an association dedicated to the learning
and preservation of frontier skills and having fun doing it. This is not a
group of re-enactors where "persona" is a watchword and the number
of stitches per inch an item of utmost importance. Survival skills and the way
of life practiced by men and women of the American frontier from 1750 through
1843 are the abiding interest, not the interpretation of coercive rules. The
goal is to learn and have fun. Misogynistic attitudes do not prevail in this organization! Women have as much
right in the NAF as men, have the same type of memberships and can advance to
the same degrees under the same requirements. Not only are women welcomed
here, but they are respected members of this friendly society. In a serious attempt to prevent politics from ever becoming a fratricidal or
coercive force within the organization, the founders of the NAF have written
governing documents designed to prevent that. The by laws provide for a weak
central government that nevertheless has the ability to prevent the ambitious
from ascending to a position of dictator status. They have also greatly
hindered the abilities of self appointed "clothing or equipment
police" and rule mongers. A reading of the bylaws that are posted on the Internet, it is easy to see
that this organization is designed to further a collective knowledge of the
skills and lifestyles of the period at a professional level. Its very lack of
"you must" rules, no annual dues, and emphasis on friendship and
helpfulness, are proof of the intent of its members to have fun. It is also
the only group of its kind to recognize that not every member of the frontier
knew all the skills necessary for a reasonably comfortable life. There were
specialists then and therefore should be now. The provision for
"Master" grade membership - indicating a specialist in one or more
professions or trades - is something entirely new to this lifestyle. It is one
attainable by men, women or youth, but these attainments will not be easy,
some of them anticipated to take five or six years or more of schooling,
training, and practice to attain. These Master levels will include all the
skills found on the frontiers: blacksmith, gunsmith, tracker, teamster,
cooper, cobbler, trapper, guide, tailor, and so on. Each petitioner to these
degrees will work with the guiding officers to develop a list of their own
requirements and how and when they will be fulfilled. If you are interested in learning and living history as it happened, not as
how some self-important functionaries have determined it must have happened,
you probably should give the North American Frontiersmen a look. Membership is
very affordable. All moneys collected are totally accounted for and expenses
kept to a minimum. Events are fun and membership is designed for the
establishment of a society of friendships and common interests instead of
status conscious cliques. There is room for a plethora of interests and
abilities. What more could you ask?
NAF Secretary/Treasurer
Ian
Bond
836
Sunnyside Ave.
Santa
Maria,
CA
93455
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