 Minnesota's Indigenous Peoples Day may not be until October 9th, but Schoolcraft Learning Community in Bemidja is observing the holiday early. Students spent their day learning about Native American history. What we're trying to do is just empower our Native American students to share more about their traditions and their culture, and also to educate our non-Native students about the people, their neighbors that live around them. I liked it because I am Native American and also it's pretty cool because I also love to know the guest speaker and it's pretty fun. This was the first year Schoolcraft marked the occasion and students from all grade levels participated. Events included a wide variety of activities ranging from smudging to important conversations. You always start with your heart. You keep your feet planted on the ground, and then you start with your heart because that's where your spirit is. The full experience wouldn't be complete without students feasting on a traditional meal that consisted of walleye berries and squash. What did you think about the food? I liked it. It was really tasty. What was your favorite? The fish. Everla Framboyce is with Fond du Lac behavioral health and came to speak to students because he says the Native American rich history and culture is something that everyone should know about. You would understand that these concepts and these teachings then, you know, it will carry into the future in a better way than it seems like it has thus far. It would be fun if my teacher, Chris, just came up and said, hey, there's some people here. They want to know about stuff. And I got to teach them so they could know too. The curriculum is also centered around topics such as language, trade, and issues like racism. What I'm hoping that all the students get out of this is people that are living in their communities, that are their neighbors, that have this rich history and traditions and culture, and it's just really interesting and good for us to know about. Students were instrumental by planning and helping put the day's events together. It's a new tradition that Schoolcraft hopes to continue. For this week's Golden Apple in Bemidji, Haiti-Clauder, Lakeland News.