Jenn Fritz Speaks of Native American Heritage
It is important to learn about your heritage. That was the message Jenn Fritz left with the fourth grade students at Pierce Elementary recently. As part of their Nebraska History studies, fourth graders had studied seven major Native American tribes that once lived in Nebraska.
Mrs. Fritz was invited to speak to the fourth graders about her own 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.
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 gets 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 about Charles Curtis, a famous Kaw member, who served as Vice-President of the United States under President Herbert Hoover from 1929 – 1933.
This is the third year that Mrs. Fritz has spoken to the students. The 4th graders were very appreciative of the knowledge shared by Mrs. Fritz and her son, Korvin, who assisted with the presentation about the Kaw tribe.
The Kaw nation headquarters is in Kaw City, Oklahoma. 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 or http://www.kawnation.com
