Tribal PIR day presents insights into native culture
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POLSON — “My favorite workshop was about historical trauma.”
“I liked learning more about the Salish Kootenai College science department.”
“My favorite parts were the intuitive Native math games.”
“Native games. I honestly enjoyed them all. There was good stuff to learn or good stuff to discuss.”
These were comments by educators attending the 17th annual Pupil Instruction Related day sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe.
Held at Polson High School on Sept. 16, staffs from all the schools on the Flathead Reservation were invited and most attended according to Penny Kipp, Acting Director for the CSKT Tribal Education Department.
New presenters this year were Jay Laber, “a phenomenal artist,” Kipp said. Laber taught flute construction and made atlatls, or spear throwers. Rob McDonald, CSKT Communications Director, spoke about current events and stepped up to present information on Kerr Dam plus lead a field trip to the dam. Sheryl Noethe, poet laureate, did “amazing poetry” with the teachers, Kipp said.
After spearheading the event for 11 years, Kipp said the PIR day has morphed and taken on new educational needs. Kipp complemented her staff of three, the PHS staff and especially PHS Principal Rob Hankins for making the PIR day run smoothly.
“The thing that I really like is that this is the only time on this reservation that all the teachers are together and can connect professionally,” Kipp added.
