by Meg Sherbatskoy, DEI Committee
Lucy Neel is the Nulhegan Education Coordinator for the Nulhegan Band of the Abenaki Tribe. Ms Neel is also a board member of the AHA, Inc. (Abenaki Helping Abenaki). She travels to several parts of Vermont teaching about Abenaki heritage in schools and coordinating with after-school programs.
With the benefit of a Title IV grant we were able to ask Miss Lucy to lead a workshop for our grades program spanning three days. She began with telling the history of the Abenacki Tribe and their many Bands, starting with the Vermont Abenaki History pre-contact, when the Europeans arrived, lifestyle changes, and Abenaki citizens in Vermont today. To help tell the story she had three baskets full of Abenaki crafts and art to pass around to each student.
The final day was spent outside. Miss Lucy brought her drum to share with the students. Students sat under a pavilion spaced around the drum, each with a drum stick as Miss Lucy led them in traditional Abenaki drumming, every student having a turn. Our new Facilities person, Tom Beck of the Nulhegan Band, joined the 5-8 grades and 3/4 classes in drumming. She then had them circle out in the grass to learn a dance and the Honor Water Song. Even though it was raining a little and a bit cold everyone sang, danced and the drumming could be heard throughout the school.
Miss Lucy wanted so much to spend time with the kindergarten students that she offered to donate one morning with them. She brought her drum, dance and song to the Apple Tree and Farm & Forest students and then to The Child’s Garden. Miss Lucy told me every day she was here that our students are incredible - so creative and so smart. She loves our school. She truly appreciated the Thank You cards from the 1/2 class and can not wait to come back for another visit next year.
To learn more about Miss Lucy and the Abenaki Tribe go to Abenakitribe.com.
