The Lawrence, Kansas, school district holds a Culture Academy to support Native American students.
Lawrence, Kans.-This summer, the Lawrence, Kansas, school district and their Native American Student Services (NASS) hosted an Indigenous Family Cooking Class open to anyone in the school district. "The class was part of the district's Culture Academy, which we run all year, hosting classes for Indigenous students," explains Susanne Stoupakis of NASS. "This was the first time we have hosted the cooking event, but it was very successful and we plan to do it again."
At this event, Indigenous Family Cooking Class teachers Shikeyah Brunello and Ed Smith taught class participants to make their own blue corn mush, green chili stew and frybread.
The program has been part of the school district since 1972 and was started to provide support and enrichment to Native American students in all 20 schools in the district.
Other offerings include Indigenous games and sports section, beading classes, and pow wow dancing and singing lessons, making ribbon shirts and skirts, and other activities to teach and enhance Native American culture.
