D-E recognized National Native American Heritage Month in November with special assemblies for our Lower School and Middle School students, offering opportunities to learn about Indigenous stories, history, traditions, and culture.
The Lower School welcomed James Bruchac, an Abenaki author, and cultural and wilderness educator, who shared traditional stories inspired by nature and the teachings passed down through his family. Students heard the tale of how the chipmunk got its stripes, participated in a call and response during a story about the power of kindness, and examined footprint casts of a deer, moose, wolf, raccoon, and bear.
“I grew up hearing these stories about animals,” shared James, whose passions include animal tracking and wilderness training. “And this made me want to learn more about them… and to track trail animals.”
Middle School students welcomed the Redhawk Native American Arts Council for an engaging presentation featuring traditional music and dance, Indigenous sign languages, cultural history, and an interactive Iroquois “Robin Dance.”
Through demonstrations and discussion, students also learned about the importance of respecting Native American identities. “Traditions and religions are not a costume,” the speaker emphasized. “Our culture is not a costume.”
The assembly concluded with a beautiful cedar flute performance meant to represent “a song of the heart.” Through these experiences, D-E students deepened their understanding of Native American heritage while learning the importance of cultural appreciation, respect, and understanding.