This month, students in the elementary schools read Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard. This story celebrates how food can bring people together and carry culture, history, and love across generations. After reading the story, the eighth grade Journalism students were asked this question:
Is there a food or family tradition that has special meaning to you? How does it bring people together or help you feel connected to your family’s story?
H:ere are some of the answers:
“One food that has a special meaning to my family is latkes. We bake potato pancakes on every major Jewish holiday and it brings people together when we work together to bake them. The reward of eating them is so amazing and it makes me feel connected to my family because the tradition of this food dates back many years.” -Chloe Blom
“In my family, around the December Holidays my mom and I make pepper cocker cookies. They are a Swedish type of cookie that my mom used to make with her family when she was younger and she carried the tradition over to ours. We turn the cookies into different shapes like stars, hearts, animals, and more. It helps me feel connected to my family’s story because I get to pass on the tradition to future family.” -Lila Gilman
“A food tradition that my family has is to eat pita bread and hummus on special occasions like Christmas or Easter. It helps me feel connected to my family’s story because Middle Eastern people had eaten pita bread and hummus for a very long time. When I eat it, I feel connected to everyone in the Middle East.” -Alexa Najjar
“Every Christmas I go to my family friend’s house, and we do secret Santa with all of their relatives because my family members don’t celebrate Christmas.” -Aleena Mehovic
“A family tradition we do is if it’s someone’s birthday we get donuts for breakfast. This is special to me because we have been doing this since I was two years old. It brings us together because we all love this tradition and look forward to birthdays. It helps me connect with my sister because we pick out each other’s donuts.” -Brynn Rabadeau
“Eating seven fish on Christmas is a special tradition for my family because my family is Italian. It brings everyone together because we all sit at the table together and eat the delicious fish my dad cooks the night before. I feel connected to my family’s story because we have done this tradition since before I was born.” -Kelsey Ruberto
“On Thanksgiving, I always go to my cousin’s house in Connecticut, and my grandma flies down from South Carolina to spend time with all of us. This makes us feel connected because we always have the best time together and realise we are so thankful to have a family to spend a day with on Thanksgiving.” -Grace Thornton
Next, the Journalism students were asked: Who is one person you feel should be added to the Student Government Association slideshow and highlighted during Native American Heritage Month? Why?
“Wilma Mankiller should be added to the list because she was the first woman elected to be Principal Chief to the Cherokee Nation. She improved the health care and educational programs. This shows she encouraged women empowerment while making a change and showing her leadership skills.” -Karly Oriol
“Susan La Flesche Picotte should be honored because she was the first Native American woman doctor. She was the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree.” -Eva Fine
“I believe that Jamie Okuma should be added to the slideshow because she is a strong and independent figure. She bends her creative designs with Indigenous motifs. Her skills and passion help her to make some of her best art work.” -Spencer Hantman
“I also think Jamie Okuma should be added to the slideshow because she is a fashion designer who blended Indigenous motifs with modern designs. She made history at NY Fashion Week. This is a big accomplishment, and I am sure other people would love to know about her and what she did. This is because a lot of people love fashion.” -Kelsey Ruberto
“Sacagawea should be added to the slideshow and highlighted during this special month because she signified courage and perseverance and she was even able to translate native languages and create peace.” -Lily Sommer
“Lily Gladstone is an actress who has origins in the Piegan Blackfeet and Nez Perce tribe. Lily Gladstone has been in many movies such as Killers of The Flower Moon, Under The Bridge, The Wedding Banquet and Fancy Dance. Lily Gladstone is a great role model for teens because she speaks out about Indigenous rights and Education, teaching teenagers to be proud of where they come from.” -Nysha Mehendiratta