Culture & Language

Culture

Culture refers to the peoples' way of life and the things we do to experience that Life, since the beginning of time. Culture also reflects our connectedness to our Mother Earth and how we are intertwined co-existing with all of Creation and its inhabitants.

Many tribes have Creation stories that are passed down orally through one generation to the next. Our Elders and teachers are vital to our way of life. They have the knowledge, wisdom and life experience to mentor/teach our youth. They are instrumental in helping our youth develop spiritually and to help them reach their full potential. Hopefully, this would encourage and cultivate our youth to become good "helpers or servants" to the tribe and ultimately become leaders in our community.

We were taught at a very young age that every living part of Mother Earth has a Spirit and therefore everything had a purpose. Very much like us. There was no distinction between the two. We are connected.

Nature and Creation is our First Family. We show respect for our First Family and include them in our Prayers. We also show respect for the Spirits of our Ancestors who are part of the First Family. We show respect through ceremony and offer the Sacred Medicine "tobacco" when asking something of our First Family and Mother Earth or when asking someone, usually Elders, for healing, guidance, direction and to give thanks.

The Sacred Pipe was smoked to honor all life. This is called the "Pipe Ceremony" and it was to honor the Great Spirit, Mother Earth, the Sky and the Four Directions. The pipe, when smoked using "tobacco" represented land, air, fire, water and so much more. The Sacred Smoke represented our thoughts and Prayers. It was our way to communicate to the Great Spirit.

Indigenous cultures of Turtle Island often had some form of governance, a way to govern themselves. This form of self government coincided with how the People lived and thrived within the Sacred Circle of Life.

Many tribes used the clan system; this gave the people duties and responsibilities based on their clan or totem. It was a way to govern them and a way to look after each other and Mother Earth. Based on what clan they represented, this also delegated their job within the community and they were viewed as an integral part of the community. This system is being revitalized through our school. Once again this assures us that the connection between our youth and elders is inevitable. With the Elders and youth the two working together they are mending the Sacred Hoop that was broken long ago.

For example; the Haudenesaunee it was a matriarchal society. The Clan Mothers appointed their leaders for "leadership roles". With other tribes, some leaders were chosen based on their qualities that suited that role and were identified at a young age as to how they would benefit the tribe or what role they would perform.

Hereditary Chiefs were chiefs by family lineage. If the People needed "a thinker, a good speaker or a person of action", then this would be the person chosen to lead the People. The length or term of that position was based on how long they were needed and usually someone else took over or until their job was over. Then they stepped aside.

Most Indigenous cultures had special gatherings, ceremonies or feasts. One type of common gathering is the "Pow Wow". Pow Wows provide the opportunity to celebrate Life and a time to socialize and honor the Cycle of Life (Medicine Wheel) you will see dancing, arts, music, food, story telling and other various venues that make up many different Indigenous Nations of Turtle Island. People call this, Inter-tribal this was where all the tribes represented went out to dance around the Big Drum which is at the center of the Sacred Circle. Everyone is united in this way. Pow Wows are events where we meet old friends, made new ones and a time to come together to celebrate our rich and vibrant culture.

Language

All the Tribes were given a language and a certain way to do things. Culture was seen through the language and it was spoken without apprehension and without shame. We used our language to communicate with one another, to the "Great Spirit" to our "Ancestors" and to all "Living things".

It wasn't until the colonization era that the languages were nearly decimated like the buffalo and the wolf. It was during that time, that it was hoped that we would abandon our "values & beliefs" and become colonized.

Residential schools were implemented and set up across Turtle Island to "take care" of the "Indian problem". We were to become civilized. Our children were taken away and then after a long time, when they returned, they weren't able to speak their language. In some cases those were our parents or grandparents.

A long time has passed and since then, there has been a resurgence and we are picking up our teachings, our bundles, medicines, languages and the sacred items that were left along the path.

To this day we are maintaining our languages and are speaking it freely. This promotes a strong sense of identity and the confidence to participate as equals in a Native and non-Native environment, to live in both worlds.

Through our teachers, elders and medicine people, our languages survived that dark era and it is now being taught to our children, in our school.

All My Relations!

Curriculum

The instructional program at the Indian Community School includes native language and culture with emphasis on the Northern Woodland tribes.

Woodland Tribal Language and Culture

The Indian Community School Language and Culture Program is designed to provide students in Kindergarten through eighth grade with instructional experiences in the use of language and to increase student literacy. The Program's goal is to improve language, verbal skills and build awareness of Native languages, culture, spirituality and history.

The following provides general information that may assist parents, students and staff with basic teachings regarding activities and definitions that are used by the School's Language and Culture Department.

The Four Medicines (Sage, Sweet Grass, Cedar and Tobacco), are used for ceremonial purposes and personal prayers. Tobacco is used as a gift to Mother Earth and as an offering to the Creator. A person may request a ceremony or special task by offering tobacco to the person or people who would best carry out special requests. Medicines are also used in smudging. Smudging is a way of purifying the mind and spirit of a person so that they are focused and positive before participating in a ceremony or other spiritual activity. Smudging is a way of connecting oneself to spirits and to the Creator. The Four Medicines are used at the School and are found in all classrooms. Teachers and children know that the medicines are sacred and should be respected at all times.

Definitions:

  • Smudging – The smoke of one or a mixture of the four medicines. (Sage, Sweet Grass, Cedar and Tobacco) is used to cleanse and help people prepare for ceremonies and prayer. Smudging is done prior to entering a ceremony such as; Opening or Closing Ceremony, Spirit Pole Ceremony, Sweat Lodge Ceremony, or any other ceremony that involves prayers.
  • Opening and Closing Ceremonies – An Opening Ceremony is held on the first school day of every month and a Closing Ceremony is held on the last school day of every month. The ceremonies are held in the Recreation Center. All staff and students attend both Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Parents, community members and alumni are encouraged and welcomed to attend the monthly ceremonies. Mentors are asked to sit with their mentees. The School drum group and the eagle staff are present during the ceremony. The spiritual leader leads the prayer and announcements. Classroom teachers are provided with a schedule that identifies the ceremony that they are responsible for hosting and presenting during Opening or Closing. All classroom presentations are related to one of the Seven Core Values: Love, Respect, Wisdom, Truth, Humility, Bravery and Loyalty.
  • Spirit Pole Ceremony – This ceremony is held on occasions that the spiritual leader feels are needed due to an event that affects our School community or the world. All are present around the spirit pole to make a tobacco offering and pray.
  • Drumming Ceremony – The drum is present during all Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as other special occasions. It is important to show respect by following the instructions that are given by the spiritual leader. Participants are to ask the leader prior to the ceremony if they wish to participate in the singing, drumming, dancing or standing by the drum.
  • Sweat Lodge Ceremony – Participants may talk to one of the culture department members on what to expect and how to prepare for a sweat lodge. Appropriate attire is necessary. A towel is also needed to sit on while in the lodge and to dry after leaving the lodge. The leader will provide specific directions for each ceremony. Participants are to go in the sweat lodge with an open mind to learn and share with others. The leader will talk, pray and provide the opportunity for all participants to share with the rest of the participants. Participants do not have to openly share during the ceremony and may pass their turn, and listen or silently pray. A sweat may last up to three (3) hours, depending on the number of people in attendance and the purpose of the sweat.
  • Feasts – Although, there are many types of feasts, they are quite similar in most aspects. They all involve prayer, thanksgiving to the Creator and a meal. There are at least four feasts held at ICS through out the year. Each feast is held at the turn of the season. The Spiritual Leader of the School offers a prayer and a short speech before each feast. The elders and special honorees are invited to line up first for their meal. Elders and Honorees may sometimes be served by younger ICS students or young adults. All guests are then invited to line up to receive their meal. The feasts offer an important opportunity for parents, children, staff and community members to share and participate in the feast activities together.
  • Giveaways – Giveaways are provided at the feasts and other special occasions. All participants have the opportunity to pick out a small item to keep. This traditional activity shows respect and thankfulness for what the creator has provided.
  • Honoring Ceremonies – Feasts and Opening and Closing Ceremonies provide the opportunity to honor an individual or group of individuals. The person is honored in an individual way and given a gift.
  • Tobacco – It is customary to give a tobacco tie (pouch) when asking someone to do a prayer for an individual, a group or a class. The tobacco is put back into Mother Earth as an offering to the Creator to bless the task that was requested. The spirits will then carry out the request. Offering tobacco is a sign of sincerity, respect for the person leading the ceremony and respect for native values and beliefs.
  • Native Languages – There are three languages taught to students in Kindergarten through the eighth grade. These include: 1) Ojibwe 2) Menominee and 3) Oneida. Students who are not enrolled members or descendents of the three Nations have the opportunity to select the language that they would most like to learn.
  • Culture Mentoring Fridays - Culture Mentoring Fridays occur once a month. Each month has a culture related theme. The culture department provides information and suggests activities based on the monthly theme, and teachers develop workshops to share their students and mentors. All staff, students and mentors are invited. Culture Mentoring Fridays provide an opportunity for all staff and students to learn about the monthly theme. Culture Mentoring Fridays also provide culture and language on-the-job training opportunities for all ICS staff members.
  • Staff and Student Field Trips – Each year all students participate in class trips that are specifically related to Woodland Tribes and their reservations. The field trips include the following locations: White Buffalo Farm, Menominee, Oneida, Lac Du Flambeau, and Lac Courte Oreilles reservations and other culture related destinations throughout the year. The fieldtrips are considered class time and all students are required to participate.
  • Visitors, Special Guests and Presenters – Special guests and presenters are often invited to ICS to share their knowledge and experiences with our students and staff. Special guests share information and activities in relation to Woodland cultures represented at the School.