On October 8, from 9 a.m. until noon, Montgomery Creek School held a program celebrating Native American heritage.
Elementary teacher Tracey Liceiro helped to organize the event. Former Shasta Lake Mayor Rod Lindsay delivered the invocation. Mr. Lindsay serves as executive director of the Local Indians for Education (LIFE).
School Board Member and Pit River Tribe Elder Jessica Jim and Elder Florence Moran opened with presentations in which they shared about Pit River history and language.
Chief Caleen Sisk, a Winnenmum Wintu, spoke eloquently about the salmon and ended her presentation with a song. Helene Sisk, Ida Riggins, and Jessica Jim joined in to teach the children the “Big Foot Song.”
A story teller shared a tale full of humor and involvement that delighted the kids.
Then the trophy-winning dancers, Thundering Moccasins, danced their Pow Wow moves. Several of the children and presenters joined in, moving to the beat of the drums.
April Carmelo, also from LIFE center, presented Caleen Sisk, Florence Moran and Jessica Jim with beautiful Native books.
The day ended with drawing and coloring blank paper cutouts of salmon to hang on a wire fence for all too see.
The K-8 school is the first in Shasta County to replace Columbus Day with a day to honor Native American people. Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations have become popular throughout the nation and the Pit River Tribe passed a resolution declaring Pit River Nations Day an annual holiday in 2015. This is the second year that Montgomery Creek School has celebrated the day.
Ms. Jim expressed her gratitude to the Montgomery Creek School Board of Trustees and April Carmelo and Rod Lindsey for honoring Pit River culture and history and hosting the presentations at the school on this day
Pit River Country 