“The Southern Ute Indian Tribe Heritage Dancers, joined by a Ute Mountain Ute drum circle, shared a taste of their culture with us this week. Every student and staff member enjoyed the beauty of the regalia, the language, and the drumming, song and dances,” BPS Principal Jan Alderton said after the performers entertained the district’s youngest learners.
The Native American drummers and dancers also paid a visit to Bayfield Intermediate School on the final day of school before the Thanksgiving break, but some BIS students were able to make a trip to the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum in Ignacio as well.
“We were fortunate enough to be able to take about 30 students and 3 staff members to the Southern Ute Cultural Museum. Students got an in-depth tour of the museum, and learned more about the Ute Native Americans,” BIS Principal Will Machallister said.
At Bayfield Middle School, the Native American Heritage Club attracts more than two dozen students at a time to meetings and field trips throughout the year, and they commemorated Native American Heritage Month in a number of different ways this November, including a visit to the school and demonstration from Guardian Arts.
Bayfield High School Principal Jason Wayman said that Native American Heritage Month was marked by an increased focus on Native American history in social studies classrooms in November.
Assistant Superintendent Bill Hesford updated the District Advisory/Accountability Committee at their November 19 meeting on the activities in the Bayfield School District that are funded by a federal Title VI grant that is intended to benefit Native American students and families. He described the make-up and activities of the district’s Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC) and told the committee about a district-wide tutoring program provided to Native American students at no cost to their families. Students or families interested in learning more about the tutoring program are encouraged to contact their school office.
