Indigenous People’s Day 2019 at BSD

Vermont celebrated it’s very first “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” on October 14, 2019. This holiday, formally known as Columbus Day, has been changed to recognize that we have for far too long promoted a story that celebrates the settlers and colonizers, while dismissing the Indigenous peoples’ languages, traditions, knowledge and relationship with the land. Burlington schools marked this historic day by engaging in interactive, educational activities for all students.

“N’dakina wa”- Abenaki Homeland Signage Project

Inspired by an Abenaki signage project designed by Chief Don Stevens to acknowledge “N’dakina” – Abenaki Homeland, Elementary Schools learned about Indigenous plants that hold culturally significance for the Abenaki people. Champlain 4th grade teacher Aziza Malik, Equity Instructional Leader, Autumn Bangoura, Teaching Artist Alissa Faber and Abenaki culture bearer, Judy Dow teamed up to create this signage project. Art classes created a plant pressing in locally dug clay to build a sign that will be installed in all six Elementary school gardens acknowledging that we are on Abenaki land. A slideshow of plants with Abenaki language translations was created as an ecological resource to learn about culturally significant indigenous plants.

Students press squash seeds, sumac, cattail and other indigenous plants into locally dug clay.

Restorative Circles were held to discuss and honor Indigenous Peoples. You can access more Restorative Circles to Honor Indigenous Peoples designed for grades K-12 here.

Liwlaldamana kwsiômek N’dakina Please respect our homeland.

Abenaki Musicians Visit all 6 Elementary Schools