This cultural preservation project supports four events throughout the school year. October, Indigenous Foods Day. November, Native American Week. Winter: storytelling. Spring: traditional games tournament. This project is funded by a grant from the Headwaters Foundation. The project is guided by the steering committee: Anna Baldwin, Shawna Buffalo, Marisa Crerar, Leslie Jackson, Jenn Jilot, Wendy Swab.

Indigenous Foods Day

On October 14, Trina Felsman, chef and owner of Qene's Catering, gave a presentation at an assembly for K-2 students, a presentation and taste-test for some 3-6 students, and a hands-on cooking workshop for some grades 7-12 students. On the menu: local bison, morels, bitterroot, chokecherries, and wild rice (Anishinabe region). Trina talked about the importance of understanding where our food comes from, using local ingredients, and giving thanks for the foods we use. An article in the Valley Journal describes part of our day.

Native American Week (Nov. 11-14)

In this KPAX news story, advisory committee member Marisa Crerar describes the week's events.

November 11, Veterans' Day: Veterans' Day all-school assembly featured Sgt. Chuck Lewis, US Marine Corps Veteran, and Red Sand drum group. The entire event was open to the community and the K-12 school population. Below are segments from the assembly with permission from Red Sand drum group to post the videos of the honor and flag songs. An article in the Char-Koosta describes this event.Image

Introduction, Anna Baldwin

Native American contributions to the Armed Forces, Wendy Swab

Honor song, Red Sand drum group

Posting the colors

Veterans' Day Presentation, Sgt. Chuck Lewis, USMC

Explanation of flag song, Walden Tewawina

Flag song, Red Sand drum group

November 12, District Unity Day: All staff and students received a t-shirt designed by Shannon Plant (grade 11). The whole district gathered on the football field bleachers for a group photo/video opportunity.

November 13, Native Heroes Door Day: All students/staff were invited to select a Native American hero (or group) and create a door depicting the chosen hero. See photos at the bottom of this page.

November 14, Safety & Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Day: K-6 students heard a presentation on cybersafety from Sheriff's deputy Clay Shoemaker. In the afternoon, students in grades 7-12 heard about MMIW from a student presentation and community speakers.

Last Modified on January 10, 2020