It was Native American Day at Overlook Middle School - here's what the students learned

Sixth-grade students at Overlook Middle School in Ashburnham had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Native American cultures, stories, and history on Monday, Oct. 30.

Native American Day has become an annual event that Overlook Middle School students anticipate since the first day of school. Over 200 social studies sixth graders cycled through six stations that each featured a critical lesson on Native American culture and history.

Social Studies teacher Brett Duncan said he believes in creating educational experiences for students to enjoy learning fully. Duncan has been the lead organizer of the annual Native American Day event.

Duncan said the annual Native American day is usually planned in late October and early November, which ties in with their week-long Native American civilization lesson plan. He said he wants the students to foster an understanding of the people who live on the land they currently live on.

"Given the world we are in today, giving the kids the opportunity to experience culture will teach them tolerance and acceptance," he said. "When kids think of Native Americans, they think of Thanksgiving; they don't recognize the vibrant cultures and communities that are still active."

What did the students do all day?

Three Native American North Central Massachusetts residents instructed three out of the six stations. Each station had a specific activity that tied history, culture, and the week-long project the social studies class assigned the students.

"This land that we are on had a whole vibrant culture of people that are still active today," he said. "I want the students to learn that Native Americans are not just alive in history, but still are communities with generations of traditions and cultures."

In one of the stations, students have 30 minutes to learn about the construction of canoes and wigwams by building their own with construction paper and glue.

Storyteller Willow Greene is an Abenaki Native American and a fourth-generation Gardner resident. Green has been telling generations-old stories professionally for over 40 years.

Duncan said the OMS Parent-Teacher Organization paid Greene for her storytelling performance. After Greene's storytelling, the students were allowed to approach the table where several key cultural items were displayed.

Greene said she is glad that Overlook Middle School invites Native Americans to spread their culture with the students every year. She said when she was a child, school taught her that her people were extinct, but in reality, they were hiding to protect their culture.

"This is fantastic that schools are inviting us in again," she said. "I have always wanted to see more of these teachings expand to other grades and other schools."

Following the station led by Greene, students have the opportunity to write their own stone stories. Native Americans would draw pictures on stones to symbolize certain folk tales, and when they would see the drawing it would remind them of the story. These stories were passed down from generations.

Native American regalia and its significance

Tim Kelly instructed another station at the school's library; Kelly is a deputy fire chief at the Princeton fire department. During his lesson, Kelly explained the significance of traditional regalia made and worn by Native Americans.

Kelly said all the pieces shown during his speech are made and worn by himself or a family member. The belt he displays to the group is made over eight months. He said the belt tells his story, and the winter colors and the red loon represent his name, Red Loon, and the season he was born.

"I don't think there is an understanding that Native Americans are active and using our culture today," he said. "It's been an honor to be here the last few years."

Native American children's games

Retired OMS physical education teacher Doris Matthews returns to the school every year to participate in Native American Day. Matthews retired in 2019, but she said she continues to help Duncan with this event because, as a Mohawk Native American herself, she knows it's important.

Matthews station showcases children's games played by Native American children for generations. She said children's games fall into three categories: skill, chance, and challenge. The children's games are supposed to teach and strengthen survival skills.

"I love working with Brett; he is one of the best teachers in Mass," she said. "Hands-on learning experiences like this get the kids a sense of another culture, and I like to share my heritage with others."

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Native American Day at Overlook Middle School