Cultural celebration features Native games, traditional foods
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ARLEE — It was a warm, sunny day filled with many outdoor activities that fostered teamwork, creativity and learning, all while building cultural bridges.
The Arlee School hosted the third annual K-12 American Indian Cultural Activities Day for Arlee students May 9.
This year, a special emphasis was given to traditional games, as well as Native foods and plants.
A day that was once set aside for high school students has incorporated children of all ages at Arlee School over the past three years.
“I feel that our children need to grow in understanding each other and bridging the gap between two worlds, Indian and non-Indian, and (this event) re-enforces what they learn in the classroom, teaching and incorporating Indian Education for All,” said Willie Wright, American Indian curriculum coordinator for Arlee Schools and Cultural Activities Day organizer.
Some of the activities that students participated in included drumming and singing, several traditional games like stickgame, shinny, lacrosse, doubleball and various intuitive games.
“It’s reaching outside, especially with the native games. There is a whole different world with Indian games and what they teach our children,” Wright said. “It’s not just about basketball, volleyball and baseball.”
Other educational activities included Native American plants and their uses; setting up a teepee; learning about diabetes and the benefits of nutrition and exercise; and making dream catchers, beaded pouches, and pony beaded necklaces.
“Diet and foods let our children know the basis of healthy eating,” Wright said. “Learning about what we are really putting in our bodies is good learning for everyone.”
A social powwow was held in the new gym and featured several categories of dancing to the traditional beat of the drum and songs.
“There are many different aspects of their culture. (Cultural Activities Day) adds more variety to what we teach in the classroom,” said K-5 Indian studies teacher Shawn Orr.
