We’re Still Here: A 5th Grade Museum Walk

5th grade’s culminating project for their Indigenous Peoples Unit was entitled “We’re Still Here.” Throughout this unit 5th graders learned about how indigenous tribes lived based on where they were located, their perception and stewardship of the land, and how they were affected by the colonization of North America and the development of the United States.

For the museum walk, students did a deep dive into the work of an array of people and organizations including Chef Brian Yazzie and his commitment to celebrating and promoting indigenous foods, professional skier Connor Ryan who’s “goal is to inspire others to deepen their connection to the places they live and play in order for us all to be better relatives to our planet, our communities, and ourselves.”, United States Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland who became the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, Project 562- a photography project by Matika Wilbur that documents and depicts at least one contemporary Native American person from each of the 562 currently recognized Tribal Nations in the United States, and so many more! These students passionately spoke and educated parents, teachers, and fellow students.