The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Native American Week was celebrated at local schools September 20-24. Native American Day in Montana and Texas was celebrated on Friday, September 24.

Known also as American Indian Heritage Day or Native American Heritage Day its purpose is to recognizes the Native American heritage, history and contributions in every way.

The day is recognized in a number of states on varying days. Schools often extend the celebration throughout the week as the Hays/Lodge Pole school system did just this last week.

All Tribal Offices and businesses were closed on Friday in recognition of the Holiday and people throughout the community joined the Hays/Lodge Pole Elementary, Junior High and High School students and staff to celebrate the Traditional Native American ways.

The week began with the 'Deadly Auntie' contest on Monday in which teams made up of three girls each race to put up a tepee. The week continued with a number of other activities to help further educate the students on their traditional ways.

Events and activities included Horse Therapy with Buster Moore, Tesha Hawley, Steve Fox, Toby and Liz Werk. Native American games were at the center of the fun providing a little competition for the older kids to enjoy.

The Thunderbird students challenged the teachers in a game of 'Double Ball' adding to the fun.

Double Ball is a traditional Native American game similar to Lacrosse. According to We R Native.org, https://www.wernative.org/articles/double-ball Double Ball is described as "Double ball is similar to lacrosse, but is played with sticks around waist high that each player holds. The game ball is usually two smaller balls just smaller than tennis balls wrapped in some type of hide that connects them both. The game ball must have around six inches of space where they are connected."

The field of play is dependent upon the number of players. Like many sports the game begins with teams at opposite ends of the field. There is a goal constructed of sticks in a shape similar to a small tepee about 10 feet from the end line.

The referee then tosses the Double Ball into the center of the field where players rush to gain control. They use their sticks to move or pass the ball in hope of scoring by throwing the double ball into the goal at least a foot off the ground. Players are not allowed to use anything but their stick and are permitted from using the stick in any manner other than moving or passing the double ball. This was a big hit for the students and the staff alike.

There was also a Poster Contest sponsored by Maggie Werk, Hays Recreation Aide and the Tribal Health Department. Entries were open to all Hays/Lodge Pole Junior High and High School Students to participate with the theme being, "I am Proud to be Native American" Posters were turned in by Thursday, September 23 and judged that afternoon.

Horse Painting was another activity that was enjoyed by all and Story Time is always a hit regardless of age.

A large number of Bouncy Houses were set up for the younger kids to have fun with and nearly all were being utilized throughout the day.

Maggie Werk with the Native American Week Poster Winners.

Thunderbird Head Volleyball Coach and Athletic Director Gemma Mount was very pleased with the weeks activities, "We tried to provide learning of our ways and stories to our kids and instill these ways and keep them going the best we could to kids of all ages." She went on to say, "I thought it went well considering not all presenters could come. I know covid is very much here but I'm so glad the kids got to be outside (nice weather) and enjoy Native American week. Our principal (Reyna Monteau) did a lot of planning on her own to see it through. It was nice for the staff and students to be outside of the classroom.

Mount concluded by saying, "The staff at Hays/Lodge Pole works really hard everyday to include our ways and culture within the school. Native American Week is an extension of that process and we really appreciate the opportunity for members of our community and culture to come to the school and share their knowledge with all of our students and staff."