First Graders Zoom into the American Museum of Natural History -- and Alaska!

An item made by hand tells a story. Our first graders recently had two amazing experiences that allowed them to see how significant that type of story is, with special guests Zooming into their classroom to illuminate it first-hand.

Our students are exploring the history of the original people of New York with a specific focus on the ingenuity of the Lenape people as it relates to invention. With a behind-the-scenes peek into the American Museum of Natural History with an anthropologist and a very special visit from two individuals based out of Ketchikan, Alaska who are working to revitalize Native cultures, our students were able to see how what they are learning comes alive beyond the classroom.

First up was a tour with Amy Tjiong, mom of Speyer students Ethan (1st) and Ari (3rd) K.. Amy is an anthropologist for the American Museum of Natural History specializing in Indigenous Cultures. Amy gave the first graders a behind the scenes tour of the museum, where they saw different collection rooms, demonstrating how museum handlers specifically care for artifacts made of organic and inorganic materials. Amy then took the students into the research and curation lab where she and her colleagues are currently restoring the Northwest Coast exhibit to better preserve and reflect the history of the Indigenous People from British Columbia and Alaska. Through this experience, the first graders walked away with an understanding of the important role museums play in telling a story that accurately represents and preserves the history of Indigenous Cultures. 

The first graders then received a very special visit from two individuals based out of Ketchikan, Alaska who are working to revitalize Native cultures: Stacey Williams of the Tlingit and Brandon Castle of the Tsimshian. 

In their presentation, Brandon and Stacey explained their weaving practice and its link to the history of their Peoples. In the spring, they harvest cedar bark from 60-foot trees when the sap flows at just the right amount, gather grasses and ferns in the summer, and finally put their harvests to use in the winter months by making bentwood boxes, hats, blankets, clothing, and mats. Stacey explained weaving's significant link to other survival practices such as making rope for fishing, thread for clothing, and storage containers for food preservation. Our first graders then practiced the plaiting pattern as they wove a mat from paper.  

Through this experience, our Speyer students learned first-hand how Indigenous People across places and time respectfully and ingeniously interact with their environment. By hearing the story of the woven items, the kids hold an essential piece of knowledge that can help keep indigenous history alive for generations to come. If you are interested in learning more, please check out Stacey's weaving page here!

A big thank you to Brandon and Stacey for this amazing visit, as well as Speyer parent, Amy Tjiong, for enriching our curriculum with their expertise and resources.