Pierce 4th Graders Have Guest Speaker
Pierce 4th Graders Have Guest Speaker
The Pierce 4th grade students were fortunate to have guest speaker, Jenn Fritz, speak to them about her Native American heritage. Mrs. Fritz is a member of the Kaw (also known as Kansa or Kanza) tribe. The tribe once inhabited most of what is now present-day Kansas, and lived in a very similar way to the Ponca and Omaha tribes in Nebraska. The Kaw nation headquarters is now in Kaw City, Oklahoma.
Among the interesting information that was presented by Mrs. Fritz was that the word “Kaw” means “People of the South Wind”, and that the state of Kansas takes its name from this famous tribe. On top of the State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas, is the sculpture of a Kaw Indian pointing his drawn bow at the North Star.
Mrs. Fritz also told the students of Charles Curtis, a famous Kaw member, who served as Vice-President of the United States under President Herbert Hoover from 1929 – 1933.
As Mrs. Fritz spoke to the 4th graders about her ancestry, she stressed the importance of the students learning of their own ancestry.
The students enjoyed Mrs. Fritz’s PowerPoint presentation as well as the special treat she brought them, duck jerky. Her son, Korvin, a Pierce 4th grader, provided the duck from a hunting outing.
If you are interested in learning more about the Kaw tribe, use the following links to find additional information:
http://www.bigorrin.org/kansa_kids.htm
www.kawnation.com
