This year, our Native American Heritage Month celebration reached new heights with an interactive and immersive museum display, bringing the beauty, wisdom, and resilience of Native American culture to our school community.
View video recap here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCIIPbGxxpV/
Our Student Government Organization (SGO) leaders—Victoria, Jada, and Prince—took charge in uplifting Native American values through thoughtful presentations and guided experiences. Their leadership helped students engage deeply with the cultural heritage on display, making this exhibit not only informative but truly inspiring.
One of the highlights of our display came from the incredible work of Ms. Ettenheim and her software development students. Using coding, they created beautiful embroidery designs inspired by Native symbols, seamlessly blending technology with cultural artistry. These pieces captured the essence of Native symbolism in an innovative and meaningful way.
Our Science Department enriched the display by exploring Native American perspectives on astronomy. This cosmic dimension offered students insights into how Native cultures viewed and honored the stars, adding a sense of wonder to our celebration. Students were captivated by how cultural heritage and science intersect in powerful ways.
Mr. Knowlton, our dedicated librarian, brought a curated collection of Indigenous-centered books to the display, creating a literary connection to Native history and storytelling. He also set up a game station featuring Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna), a game rooted in Native Alaskan storytelling. This immersive game experience allowed students to explore themes of survival, resilience, and community while engaging in a hands-on activity.
For a full sensory experience, we included a sound tent where students could listen to Native music and nature sounds, transporting them to a world where they could appreciate the voices of Indigenous traditions. Additionally, the film AGAINST THE CURRENT by BYkids provided an inspiring narrative from Daunnette Moniz-Reyome, a 17-year-old Native American activist. Through this documentary, students gained insight into her journey and her family’s efforts to retain sacred rituals and cultural values in the face of historical challenges.
A special shout-out goes to Ms. Cordero, whose creative vision for the astronomy display brought the exhibit to life! Her fearless installation approach (despite a few heart-stopping moments for Ms. ArcaMay!) transformed our walls into a stunning tribute to Native views on the cosmos.
We are deeply grateful to our CTE staff for bringing their classes down to experience this exhibit. Their commitment to cultural education helped make this event meaningful and memorable for our entire school community.
This Native American Heritage Month Museum Display was more than just an exhibit—it was a celebration of resilience, culture, and community. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this vision to life and to all who visited, reflecting our shared commitment to honoring and learning from Native American heritage. 🌟
Donate to the Native American Rights Fund
Supporting the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a powerful way to honor and uphold Native American heritage and rights. NARF has been a critical advocate for Native American tribes, organizations, and individuals across the United States since 1970. Their work focuses on preserving tribal sovereignty, protecting natural resources, and ensuring the rights to cultural practices and land. Donate Here