On Sunday, May 19, the St. Francis Area Schools American Indian Education Program (AIE) hosted its annual end-of-the-year picnic and grad celebration. This event is an opportunity for families to get together and celebrate the school year and honor the graduating seniors.
At the event, AIE Coordinator, Haley Dagle and AIE Liaison, Lisa Cicha, honored the graduating senior in attendance with a blanket wrapping ceremony. A blanket ceremony is a tradition in many Native communities and is often done for significant milestones in one’s life. Blankets are gifted as a sign of respect, honor, and protection to send the seniors onto the next part of their journey in a good way.
AIE also honored St. Francis Middle School Principal, Heidi Critchley, with a traditional shawl as a thank you for all of her support and advocacy for the program over the last three years. All of those in attendance listened to the Red Lake Singers play an honor song, then participated in a round dance.
Frybread tacos were catered by Pow Wow Grounds and a soft serve machine was donated for the event by TSBL Distributing.