Native Americans celebrate their heritage

Courtesy photos

A Native American Heritage celebration recently took place at Holy Name Catholic School in honor of the Catholic church's first ever canonization of a Native American saint. Kateri Tekakwitha was a Mohawk baptized on Easter Day 1676. Her life of piety and the miracles that followed her death were documented by the Jesuit missionaries. Students listened to explanations of Native American cultural beliefs and participated with great enthusiasm in traditional circle drumming and dancing. Young dancers in their Native regalia were Andrew Sargent, left, Cameron Willemsen, Keyanna Godfrey, Reina Eastman and Megan Lukezich.

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Holy Name Principal Joseph Carlson was presented with the gift of the Objibwa’s four sacred herbs as one of his young students shows his affection for his principal. They were prepared by Indian Education volunteer Dannielle Herbert, at left, and are cedar, sage, sweetgrass, and ceremonial tobacco.

Keyanna Godfrey, one of the Native American dancers, demonstrates how the dancers circle the drummers as they played and the Holy Name student body was invited to join in the circle. The program was presented by representatives of the Title VII Indian Education program Jessie Seronko, director and Duane Kinnart cultural volunteer.