Salmon River embraces celebration of Native American Day

By Mary La France

Salmon River Central School students received a taste of cultural awareness in addition to the upcoming Thanksgiving/Columbus Day holiday on Oct. 12. It was the first year Native American Day was organized by Alison Benedict and everybody seemed to really enjoy it.

Special guests who were invited to be part of the Native American Day celebrations included Darren Bonaparte. Mr. Bonaparte is an alumnus of Salmon River and came to share his wampum belt collection with students and other artifacts that originated in the colonial era in order to give them an understanding of what it was like to do business with the Haudenosaunee in the 1700’s.

Also an alumnus Natasha Smoke-Santiago was there sharing cultural teachings, songs, and ceremonies through her beautiful paintings, pottery, and traditional pipe making with students. Each of her pieces represents an important aspect of the Mohawk Culture that she even taught students through a small pottery making demonstration.

“It is interesting to be here as an adult and see teachers who remember me,” said Ms. Smoke-Santiago, “and then to come back and be teaching to children when you were one of those children.”

Both Mr. Bonaparte and Ms. Smoke-Santiago felt that they owed their visit to Salmon River Central School for giving them their start in art and writing.

Also present was Heather Lauzon, registered dietitian for Mohawk Healthy Heart Program, teaching kids about diabetes and the importance of eating healthy traditional foods. Kids played and learned using the nutrition ball and ate corn soup, corn muffins, and drank strawberry drink.

Traditional basket maker Linda Jackson was there to share the craft of basket making with students. She taught students to appreciate the time and effort that goes into making a basket and to appreciate the materials and where they come from.

Sue Ellen Herne from the Akwesasne Cultural Center and Museum was there to share the library’s collection of traditional medicines started by Jake Swamp and the Tree of Peace Society. She let students know that medicine does not always come from a bottle and that even they themselves are a medicine when they do good things for others.

Bob Stevenson was also there with his friend Wolfy sharing with students the contributions of Native people to society, such as: birch bark canoes, tools, dwellings, medicines, and the skills needed to live off the Earth. He also informed students that it is important that more people get involved in learning the traditional knowledge and sharing it in order to keep the culture alive.

“Thank you to Mrs. Claffey’s class for baking corn muffins and ESP Catering for the corn soup and strawberry drink,” said Mrs. Benedict, “and thanks to Kim Russell, Sherry Jock, and Margaret Lafrance for all their help in making the event happen.”

Everyone agreed that the students were very good during the presentations and that the event was a great success.

Photos by Mary La France