Students learn about the 'first people'

Sisters Elementary School fourth graders condensed the past 10,000 years of human occupation of North America into an educational celebration of the culture of Oregon's first peoples last week.

The school presentation began with fourth grade teacher Clay Warburton speaking to the assembled students, parents and faculty: "Hello everyone and welcome to the Sisters Elementary 24th annual celebration of Oregon's First People... Our goal is to celebrate our learning with our parents, our teachers and each other."

Then, with a sly grin, he finished the introduction: "Now it's time to begin... is anyone feeling chilly? I think the Ice Age is coming..."

From there, each of his students participating in the program told the audience of fellow students, teachers and parents what scientists have learned about living conditions around 10,000 years ago, when the First People migrated across the land bridges of ice and rock from Siberia into what is today the state of Alaska.

The students brought out the fact that, just prior to contact with Europeans, there were approximately 14 million native peoples living in North America - but by 1840 the number was down to only 250,000 souls.

Annie Ogan of Sisters made arrangements for the Lucinda Green Family Dancers of Warm Springs to perform for the children, parents, and staff. The dancers were accompanied by singer and drummer Shawn Cartney, also of Warm Springs.

During the dancing, five dancers, including Grandma Rosa, Shawn's mom, 13-year-old Keeyana Yellowman - who said she has been dancing since she started to walk - thrilled the audience. Everyone was enchanted when five-year-old Kaiwin Clements put on a spectacular 10-ring dance.

After the demonstration dance, Lucinda Green put the entire student body in a huge circle within the gymnasium and conducted the Circle Dance, in which everyone greeted the dancers and each other as they circled in opposite directions.

Another highlight of the First People program took place when everyone was invited into the auditorium where the students performed songs and played Indian games.

The final part of the First People program was a unique "trading" time. The students could not talk to one another, but used sign language to communicate as they traded goods - art objects created by the students themselves. The trading session helped to bring out the fact that in Oregon alone there were over 100 different bands and tribes of the First People, speaking more than 21 languages.

The program came to an end with families sitting on the community room floor with families, teachers and students enjoying what could have passed for "native foods": popcorn, peanuts, jerked meat and other delicacies.

The goal for the program was not only to teach the children about the rich history of Oregon's First People, but also, as Clay Warburton put it: "The good news is that American Indians still walk among us. They are our neighbors, our teachers, and our friends. In fact, they are us. Native Americans are an important part of what we do and how we live in Oregon."