This section is some insights from teachers whom have worked with Native students.

​

• In Native American Culture students typically avoid making eye contact. Do not assume a student is not listening or paying attention to you. It is a sign of humility and respect to avoid eye contact.   

• In Ponemah, the creation story is not taught in a public school setting.

• Pow wow regalia is not a costume. Refer to traditional dress as either regalia or an outfit.

• Get to know your students family and who they live with at home. There are many extended families whom live together and many students are in foster care.

• When gathering, a circle is often used to promote unity and allow all voices to be seen and heard.  

• Traditionally Native people move and pass objects in a clockwise fashion.

 

Pow Wow

• Only men drum in a pow wow setting. Traditionally, women will often stand behind the drummers and sing but do not sit in the drum circle.

• There are certain items in Ojibwe culture which are sacred.

  • Peace pipes, Eagle Feathers, and Drums, are animate objects and are to be handled respectfully. As an example, if an eagle feather is dropped during a pow wow, a song and dance must be performed before it can be picked up off the ground.

  • A woman whom is menstrating should not touch sacred objects and should not dance in pow wow.

• Babies or small children should not be carried while dancing.

• The drum signifies the heartbeat of the nation of all native people.

• All Ojibwe beadwork for regaila are designed after floral patterns because they are a woodland people.

• ​

Funerals

• A woman whom is menstrating should not prepare food for a traditional funeral.

• A pregnant woman should not attend a traditional funeral.

• Infants and Children should have ashes placed on the forehead.

• With a traditional funeral, families will bury loved ones in family plots with spirit houses.

• ​

​

​