FIELD TWP — Heritage Week at North Woods School wrapped up last Thursday with a lively community powwow that brought students, singers, and dancers together in celebration of Indigenous culture.
The four-day observance, organized by the Native American Student Association as part of Indigenous Heritage Month, blended tradition, education, and a healthy dose of North Woods spirit. Students kicked things off Monday by donning Grizzly gear and ribbon skirts, followed by the crowning of senior and junior braves and princesses, an annual highlight that recognizes leadership and cultural pride among Native youth.
On Tuesday, students and staff marked Red Shirt Day in support of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. The evening’s Ojibwe Bingo and community dinner drew more than 100 people, filling the commons area with families who came for food, laughter, and a little competitive energy.
Wednesday’s Orange Shirt Day honored Every Child Matters, a remembrance tied to the legacy of residential schools and the importance of cultural resilience.
Everything built toward Thursday’s powwow, which transformed the gym into a circle of sound and color. Well-known emcee Terry Goodsky guided the ceremonies while the Bois Forte Singers provided steady, resonant drum and song that carried through the two sessions. Dancers explained the meaning of their regalia, teachers and students spilled from the stands to join intertribal dances, and a round of musical chairs sparked cheers from both elementary and high school crowds.