Kids Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day

Kids in grades K-3 will listen to a story written by an Indigenous author and complete a craft project. Kids in grades K-5 will listen to a story by an indigenous author and then complete a Dreamcatcher craft. While Dreamcatchers originated with the Ojibwe (Chippewa) people (who live in the American Great Lakes region and parts of Canada), the tradition of creating Dreamcatchers was picked up by other indigenous cultures and is now widely practiced throughout North America. Dreamcatchers can be made of many materials including wood, yarn, feathers, beads, ribbons, gemstones and seashells. We aim to practice cultural appreciation, not appropriation; hopefully, this exercise will instill in children a respect for the beauty and ingenuity of indigenous cultures. If you and your child would like to learn more about local indigenous people, visit the website of the Shinnecock Nation of Southampton and the Matinecock Nation of Long Island.