Across the district, students engaged in activities honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day. We stepped inside the classroom of high school teacher Talia Williams’ whose students were exploring an art gallery Ms. Williams created of various Indigenous cultures from around the world, including Hmong, Māori, Inuit, Maasai, Maya, and Dakota.
Ms. Williams, who is Cherokee, reflected on the importance of this day and how it impacts her teaching for that day. “I’m excited to teach Indigenous culture and history because when I went to school, we didn’t learn about Indigenous peoples.”
Ms. Williams hopes that by showcasing indigenous groups from around the world, students will gain a deeper appreciation for traditions through clothing, dancing, jewelry, and sculpture, among other things like history, heritage and legacy. .
Beyond the high school, all students engaged in lessons around indigenous peoples through stories from Indigenous authors, in interactive videos and podcasts and group activities.
- Kindergarteners learned about the relationship with the natural world through We Are Water Protectors.
- First grade students studied the Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe and reflected on cultural symbols and traditions.
- Second grade students discussed Dakota and Anishinaabe daily life and water protection.
- Third grade students mapped Minnesota’s 11 Tribal Nations and discussed governance.
- Fourth grade students examined Indigenous resistance using We Are Still Here!
- Fifth grade students learned about U.S. Federal Indian policies and their impact on self-determination.
Middle and high school students built on these lessons by exploring contributions of Indigenous peoples, traditional medicines, current issues and tribal sovereignty. Jillian Merkle and many colleagues across SLP Schools worked to ensure students recognized and celebrated Indigenous heritage as a crucial part of understanding the world. Thank you all for making this day one of learning and celebration.