We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
A little late in notes regarding the happenings at the Hays/Lodge Pole schools during Native American Week. For a reason unbeknownst to the school, in true Indian fashion we were a week late. Ironic as it were, as in prior years it was a delegation of students from our school who sponsored the bill making Native American Day an official holiday in the state of Montana, celebrating Native Americans.
This year with the help of an effort put forth by OPI called School Improvement Grant or SIG the district purchased a Lodge for each grade K-12. These lodges were used as teaching tools by the teachers, in the disciplines of Math, Nakoda and Aanii and Art.
In the Beginning of the school year the entire boys football team under the direction of Coach Josh Werk and the schools Principal Beth Kendall and School Board member Randall Werk Sr. took a trip into our Little Rocky Mountains where they harvested sets of Lodge Poles in the fashion of our people. Once the poles where secured and peeled a Tioksa or a Camp Circle was built by the students. It Consisted of 12 smaller lodges and one large Lodge known as Ti-otibi a council lodge. Along with the lodges 16 tanned buffalo hides were also purchased to place on the ground with in the lodges as in days gone by.
With the aid of the district Superintendent John Bauch and the office staff, Darrellyn Shambo, Angie McConnell and Sandy Zander the week was set to commence.
Day One was a day committed to the time honored customs of the Nakoda people. The Speakers of the day was Nakoda Headmen John Allen and his wife Dianna. The entire student body assembled in the Ti-otibi, which was no small feet as the elementary school had to be bused the 13 miles to the High School. Once there, John Allen began to give oral histories of our people.
At noon a ceremony blessing of the food took place and students served Indian Style by custom serving all in attendance after the meal had been offered. The morning prep consisted of the entire Jr. High females preparing a traditional meal. After the meal was shared the K-3 students went on an outing to the Little Peoples Creek Canyon. A short break was had by the student body.
Mr. Allen then began again while the students sat comfortably on the ground upon tanned hides. Ladies on left of him men on the right. Mr. Allen spoke mainly about the many ceremonies of our people. He also gave an oral account of the Buffalo Chasers Society, who in years prior traveled to Washington DC to reclaim Nakoda remains from the Smithsonian.
Day Two was Committed to Aaniinin the keepers of the Aa-nii sacred covenant Junior and Theresa Horse Capture were the speakers of the day. This day was organized in the same fashion as day one. The High School Ladies provided the traditional meal.
Mr. and Mrs. Horse Capture spoke of the cultural ways of the Aa-nii. The roles of Men and Women. They also spoke of the worlds creation. At noon again a blessing was made of the meal and we all ate Indian style. The rest of the afternoon more stories were shared.
Day Three was also dedicated to Aa-nii ways. The speakers were Mr. and Mrs. Terry Brockie also keepers of a sacred covenant.
See Page A8: Hays/Lodge Pole Schools
This day again the Jr. High ladies prepared the meal. Mr. and Mrs Brockie spoke of the ways of the Aa-nii. The roles of males and females. They shared stories of the past and how life as it is know came to be. At noon blessings were said as again the males served lunch Indian style. After much more stories were shared.
Day Four was the celebration day as the entire student body traveled to the Little Peoples Creek Canyon Celebration Ground recently remodeled by our loving community of Hays under the leadership of our School Board Chair Frank J Doney were we enjoyed a BBQ picnic lunch and had a wonderful Pow-wow. This day we were fortunate to be able to celebrate no only with our K-12 students but also the Mission Grade School students. Through out the week students who attend Dodson schools were permitted to attend activities with us.
All and all a great time was had with valuable life lessons to our students. Community members attended with their students as well. One family even produced the heart, kidney, and liver of a deer to be cooked it was indeed a treat thanks goes out the Bruce and Wanda Denny for the treat.
It has been a great number of years since our children have been permitted to sit in a lodge on the ground and learn about who they are as Nakoda and Aa-nii people. Chief Luther Standing Bear a Sioux was once quoted as saying when the Red Man rose and left his place in the lodge on the ground his humanization growth became hindered in his growth. Mr. Don Racine Aanii Language instructor was quoted this week “ this information we are receiving this week you will never find in a book, we are blessed”.
Indeed we were blessed it is a new day in education.
