November 1st marked the beginning of National Native Heritage Month, an important time to celebrate the rich history, traditions, languages, and culture of Indigenous people. Students in the Appleton Area School District (AASD) are taking the initiative to observe this celebration in unique ways.
To celebrate National Native Heritage Month at North, the AASD Native American Organization is offering a series of craft workshops during Flex periods:
On Friday, Nov. 8, West students will create beaded earrings and learn about their significance to Indigenous culture. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, North will host an activity of bone-necklace making, which holds spiritual meaning.
At East on Tuesday, Nov. 26, participants will learn the importance of the corn husk doll and see a demonstration on how to make them.
“It gives us a reason to connect,” Senior Shylah Valencia said, adding that being a part of the Native American Organization at North has given her a great sense of community. She expressed that this special time is to show recognition and appreciation and that it is greatly important to her culture. “It makes me feel seen,” she said.
Andy Fernandez, a North sophomore, said that Native Heritage Month is “a way for us to celebrate our culture, especially for our ancestors and relatives that couldn’t…. People tried to erase our culture and identity.” Fernandez also spoke about how important it is to bring attention to suffering communities during this time.
“Community is at the heart of many Native communities,” said Ms. Siebers, cultural advisor and Native American support specialist for the AASD. “In my own experience, my community, friends, and family mean the world to me… Therefore, we are putting the community first before our own selves. I grew up with values of reciprocity being an important part of our lives.”
To learn more about National Native Heritage Month, consider signing up for Ms. Siebers’ homeroom on Wednesday, Nov. 20 for the bone necklace crafting activity–it is open to all! Or, visit https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/.
Additionally, the AASD Native American Organization will host a frybread and Indian tacos fundraiser in the spring.
A Brief History: Although there are recorded efforts to pay tribute to Native Americans as early as the early 1800s, the inauguration bill passed in 1990 under the signing of President George W. Bush, designated November as the month of observation. According to the Holy Toledo History, one of the most notable efforts for a time of commemoration occurred in 1914. A member of the Blackfeet Nation, Red James Fox, traveled 3,000 miles from the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana to Washington on horseback. Coincidentally, his horse was also named Montana. On his journey, he took stops to speak on the importance of recognizing the Indigenous peoples of America.
