Bismarck elementary school welcomes Indigenous families, creates safe space
Solheim Elementary School plans to incorporate Indigenous knowledge in curriculum
Indigenous Democracy Reporter
Students bond with each other while playing red light, green light with singer Jermaine Bell. Photo credit/Adrianna Adame
Tiffany Hodge watched her daughter interact with other Native students while playing red light, green light.
Hodge secretly hoped they’d try traditional hand games in addition to other rounds of activities. Her daughter is in the fourth grade and asked her mother to attend Solheim Elementary School’s Welcome Back event.
The K-5 school’s first Indigenous Welcome Back event created an inclusive space for families to connect with educators on Sept. 26. Shelly Swanson, the principal at Solheim Elementary, said she wants to meet American Indian families early in the year.
“We’re partners with them,” said Swanson. “We want them to feel comfortable here, we want to build trust with them and we want them to share their voice so that they feel seen and heard at this school.”
American Indians are the largest minority at Solheim Elementary, ranging from 25 to 45 students each year. Altogether more than 500 students attend the school. While students listened to singer Jermaine Bell’s drumming, parents met other Native families and Solheim Elementary staff.
“This may be a great opportunity for kids who may not look traditionally Native to meet other tribal members that they didn’t even know,” Hodge said.
When she was growing up, Hodge said schools didn’t host culturally inclusive events. She now appreciates Solheim Elementary’s effort to get parents involved in their children’s education. “This is more than there’s been in the past, so this is a great thing,” Hodge said.
Marlee Finley attended Solheim Elementary’s Welcome Back event after receiving an email from the school. She wanted to support her son and niece, both in fourth grade, and meet other Native families. “I just want them to have a good school year,” said Finley. “I liked school when I was a kid so I really want them to also like school and enjoy learning.”
Once a week Donovan Lambert, the school’s cultural coordinator, hosts separate group meetings for boys and girls to provide a safe space to talk about their culture and share their stories. The purpose of holding these meetings is to make sure that Indigenous students find their voice within their school.
“We want them to feel comfortable here, we want to build trust with them and we want them to share their voice so that they feel seen and heard at this school.”
Shelly Swanson, Principal at Solheim Elementary School
Solheim Elementary also is working with Bismarck Public Schools to integrate Indigenous knowledge and culture into its curriculum this year. BPS will be working with classroom teachers to search for the latest and most accurate information as the school forms this new program. Swanson said it’s important for students to be able to see themselves in what they’re learning.
Towards November, the school is organizing more events and assemblies for Native American Heritage Month and plans to bring in some of the families to share their talents, gifts, cultures and traditions with the whole school as a learning experience.
Kari Bitz, the school’s social worker, said her favorite part of the night was the drumming. She works closely with Lambert to plan inclusive events like the Welcome Back to explore and examine different cultures within their school.
“The biggest thing is we just want them to know that we want to be a part of their families,” said Bitz. “If they are comfortable coming here, then they are more familiar with asking questions.”