SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — With no college on Monday, college students at Washington Excessive Faculty celebrated Native American Day Thursday throughout their lunch hour.
One scholar has danced on the occasion since she was a freshman.
College students within the Okichiyapi Membership at Washington Excessive have celebrated Native American Day for the final 22 years.
“To carry consciousness that we’re nonetheless right here. And we’re nonetheless folks, as a substitute of being forgotten or being a reminiscence or simply a part of historical past. We’re nonetheless right here, and we’re nonetheless residing and striving on this land,” mentioned Emma Eagle Star, Senior.
The celebration included performances by members of the membership.
“We’ve got this one dancer Rosie, she does it yearly. She’s fantastic at it. And I actually do discover it particular that she nonetheless does it,” Eagle Star mentioned.
“I’ve been going to pow wow’s since I used to be born. I just like the second I might stroll, I’ve been dancing. And it similar to actually, like helps me embrace my tradition,” Rosalie Szameit, Junior, mentioned.
Members of the membership say the purpose of the occasion is to teach different college students about Indigenous tradition and recruit future members for the membership.
“I hope that seeing me embrace my tradition, I hope that others can embrace their tradition as nicely. As a result of I really feel particularly in the present day, lots of people just like the factor it’s like embarrassing or they don’t wish to do it as a result of it’s like, not cool. However like, I believe it’s cool to be concerned in your tradition and actually present it off,” Szameit mentioned.
These college students hope the group can proceed to have fun Native American tradition all yr spherical.
A part of the celebration additionally included the set up of a teepee on the entrance garden.
Instructor Bruce Rekstad says he began the membership 22 years in the past to present extra illustration to Indigenous college students.
