The chaotic lives of seniors this time of the year symbolize a major transition from high school to the “real world.” But that transition takes a different path for Native Americans — a massive haircut, symbolizing a major life change. FHS students learned this and many other cultural differences on a field trip to the People’s Center in St. Ignatius last Wednesday. “One of the things I took home with me from the field trip was the sweet grass stories, which tell warriors not to cut their hair unless there is a major shift in their life’s path,” said English teacher Nancy Rose. “I think this was the best field trip yet because we weren’t in a rush, we had all day.” Rose’s world literature class and Kevin Allen-Schmid’s world music class visited a different culture, that Rose says is “only a bus ride away.” “The people’s center was a great place to find information on past Indian lifestyles,” said junior Bethany Madison. The students witnessed customs unique to the Native American culture. The students got to see the People’s Center museum that will be remodeled this year, and experienced Native American traditions regarding fishing and cooking. “I’m making a willow reed fish basket to see if it works,” said senior Bill Templeton. “I don’t want to bust my tail fishing and come up empty handed.” Some students came home with knowledge of a different culture and some came home with new bruises from trying to play Shinny, a Native American game with no rules that is similar to hockey. Sophomore Marshall Willey enjoyed the game. “Shinny was the best part of the trip, except for when I got hit in the leg by Brandon Barnett,” said Willey. Shinny was not the only game the students learned. They also learned how to gamble through a traditional activity called Stick Game. This game involves quite a bit of thinking and some luck. “Stick game was mental,” said senior Brandon French. “You had to understand everyone and know their thought patterns.” Both Allen Schmid and Rose brought home a message on a more personal level. On the way to St. Ignatius, Rose and Allen-Schmid talked about how they don’t have time for family and friends and other things they are passionate about. Said Allen-Schmid: “The trip was great. We planned to go to three places but we were enjoying ourselves so much at the people’s place that we stayed there all day.” |
