Wolf Point Students Learn About Culture

Instructor Patricia Payne has been busy teaching the Fort Peck prayer song to her Indian Education For All class at Northside School.

“We started with the groups last week,” Payne said on May 18. “They have just finished learning the value system.”

Payne is pleased that consultant Adrienne Pipestem attended the classes to help teach the students the prayer song.

She said the third through fifth grade students will sing the prayer together during Northside’s awards ceremony on May 28 at 1 p.m.

Pipestem said, “I am very honored and humbled to help support teaching the kids. This has been a great experience. When the kids sang and drum, it fulls my heart with happiness. I was never given the chance to learn this in school. Thank you Ms. Payne for allowing me to come and teach the students in her class.”

The prayer song reads, “Unshi mana ye (We are pitiful), Unshi mana yedo (We are pitiful), Heeey ya waay ya, Oyate hey (Nation), Wakan Tanka heeeey (Great Spirit This), Unshi mana yeee ha wedo heeey yoy (We are pitiful).”

This year, 140 students were taught the beginning lessons of Nakona language. Payne collaborated with Nakoa Heavy Runner and his Indian Education For All curriculum – Knowledge Keepers. One activity was to draw and color the tribal flag. The students’ art show was displayed in the high school’s multi-purpose room during the first indigenous fashion show.

Her final unit of the firstyear curriculum is to combine Nakona/Dakota language and teach the students about gender roles for the drum and singing.

The value system that the students learned includes: 1. Love-Eagle: Love yourself, others, creator, the Lord. 2. Honesty-Sabe: Honesty with yourself, with others, not telling a lie, knowing you are your own person.

3. Respect-Buffalo: Respect all people, elders, family, the land, the Earth, Creator.

4. Humility-Wolf: Creator made everyone equal. Think of others before yourself.

5. Truth-Turtle: Living the seven sacred laws. Seek the truth, live the truth.

6. Wisdom-Beaver: Knowledge of your gift, your purpose to better yourself, your community, your family, your friends.

7. Courage-Mother Bear: Bravery, honesty, ability to go your own way.