Students at Wounded Knee School had the opportunity to learn about traditional plants and medicines. PHOTO BY/Christina Rose
Traditional plants and medicines subject for classroom workshop
By Christina Rose
Native Sun News Associate Editor MANDERSON — Students at Wounded Knee School in Manderson were treated to an afternoon learning about the traditional and medicinal foods of their ancestors. David and Nyla Swallow, who were taught the Lakota ways by their grandparents and parents, brought herbs and foods into the classroom. Students handled, smelled and learned how to find food in its natural habitat. The program, Woniya Sa (Red Breath) was hosted by the Oglala Lakota College. “We need to eat what was made for us to eat by God, creator,” David Swallow explained to the group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders who seemed to hang on his every word. “The Lakota people, the grandmas and granpas were not farmers, they were nomad people but they knew the plants that were grown naturally, which I believe were grown by God or the Great Spirit. It was shown to them, onions, turnips, carrots, all the things you see in the store; they never bought those, they already grow here.” Swallow asked the students if they knew what day it was. A few of the students called out, “EBT Day!” Laughing, Swallow said, “Yeah! Its EBT night and everybody gonna run and get a can of Pepsi, like that. You gonna eat those sandwiches; in my day we don’t have those things.” Swallow talked about the things students needed to do to remain healthy in their mind, body and spirit, and suggested that the students needed to leave the television and video games behind and ride the hills on horseback. The foods and ways they are used was introduced by Swallow’s wife Nyla, who continues her teachings from her grandmothers and shares many stories of how the woman’s role in Lakota life came about. Presenting the students with small bags filled with juniper berries and choke cherries, spearmint and peppermint, sweet grass and red willow, the youth gathered around and shared bags to sniff and touch. The students enjoyed the process but winced after smelling a bottle of bear grease. The day had been organized by faculty members of the Oglala Lakota College who had received a grant to integrate traditional Indigenous knowledge with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts. The workshop included a video about the harms of Genetically Modified Foods and also taught students about the benefits of planting beans, corn and squash, well known as The Three Sisters in Indigenous planting techniques. Students learned how each food supported the growth and well being of the others, and all were given a biodegradable pot of soil for planting the “Three Sisters” at home. The program was organized by Michelle Salvatore, director of the OLC Math, Science and Technology Department. “The ancestors were and are the original scientists and astronomers and everything that we consider science today came from their observations,” she said. The NASA-SEMAA (Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy) is a national program designed specifically to reach K-12 minority students to encourage careers involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). “Improving conditions on the reservation starts with the upcoming generations,” Salvatore said. “These are the ones that will take on leadership positions and bring about positive change through research and education.” As organizer, Salvatore and the staff at OLC plan events that are related to STEM concepts and include the Indigenous knowledge through rich cultural resources from educators of the college to the elders and spiritual leaders of the community. “We bring hands-on activities and experience to our students that are not available to them otherwise. We still cover the STEM concepts but in a way that allows the culture of the people to be heard and verified in the language, culture, philosophy, stories, spirit and history of the people themselves by keeping the ancestors information alive.” NASA-SEMAA (Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Aeronautics) came about through a grant from NASA. OLC was chosen as the only Native American site out of the 23 satellite sites. There is a K-12 curriculum, science outreach, Aeronautics Education Lab, robots, portable planetarium and serves under served and under-represented minorities again using hands on STEM activities and workshops. The success of the program is based in the excitement it brings into the classrooms. “We have many teachers, students, parents and community members that thank us for bringing these opportunities to the youth,” Salvatore said, adding that many children look forward to the summer programs. “We have served as many as 100 students over a three-week session,” she said. “When we come into the schools the kids get all excited and they know they are going to do something unique, fun and stimulating.” Even introverted students participate in the programs which includes building Lego robots that respond to commands. Salvatore said the position is a gratifying one and remembers a fourth grader from Wounded Knee school that came running down the hall after the session. “He said ‘When are you coming back, are you coming back tomorrow? That was fun! It’s all so worth it,” Salvatore said. (Contact Christina Rose at christinarose.sd@gmail.com) Copyright permission by Native Sun News
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