Students
of the Wakina Sky Learning Circle & Library officially completed
their very own handmade, traditional War Bonnet Thursday afternoon.
"It
was hard," said Izain Belgarde, a student at WSLC.
WSLC
is an after-school program aimed at enhancing the development of
enrolled children's social, emotional and academic skills.
All
of 22 WSLC students participated in either beading the design on
front or preparing a feather, and some did both, said Pearl McGillis,
a cultural coordinator.
"I
made these two feathers," said Belgarde, adding that he also
helped with the beading.
While
the students learned how to properly decorate each feather, McGillis
said, they learned all the traditions of receiving, caring and using
a War Bonnet.
He
added that a warrior doesn't make his own bonnet, but receives each
piece from people within his own tribe.
Students
learned traditional ways of obtaining their own bonnet, said McGillis,
which meant that they would have to earn it.
"It's
one of the highest honors," said McGillis.
Among
the many students, Sean Brennan, a Carroll College student studying
elementary education, spends his time tutoring in academics.
"It's
been a great experience," said Brennan.
Tammara
Rosenleaf, an academic support teacher, said altogether four students
from the Diversity Field Experience class at Carroll College have
tutored the students so far this year.
In
addition to Brennan, Erin Gregg, Jeff Hayes and Matt Lanigan have
tutored more than 40 hours this fall at WSLC.
Students
earlier this year put together a wish list for toys and school items
they can purchase at the Wakina Sky Store with their Wakina Sky
Bucks.
The
list was then sent to local businesses.
"We
got a tremendous response in donations from all the businesses,"
McGillis said.
Materials
to make items, such as the dress worn by Tisha Ball in the photo,
have been used by all the students, McGillis said.
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