“We must trust our own thinking. Trust where we’re going. And get the job done.”
~Wilma Mankiller
With a vision of greater success for students, Sara Buffalo Head-Bell reinstalled the Native American Heritage Club (NAHC) in the fall of 2022 after she was inspired by an Edutopia article that read, “Connectedness is directly correlated to higher academic outcomes.”
When looking at her vision for the club, she says, “I wanted this club to be a catalyst to more positive behaviors: less stress, lower absenteeism, to boost confidence and provide a safe space for all.” It would seem the club has been doing exactly that. They have a membership of over 50 now, which increases every month as students see their activities and services through the school and their online presence for their outside activities as well.
Senior Ryan Buffalohead has been an active member since his sophomore year: “I was interested in being part of the group because I get to be with MY people and learn more about our culture and traditions.” Building pride in self and culture is important to the sponsors of the club. That confidence carries on to the next step the students will take in life, whether that be moving into the workforce or higher education.
The Title VI Program and the Club provide opportunities for visits to colleges and to find out about various careers so students realize the opportunities they have ahead of them. In addition, they provide opportunities to visit with elders in various tribes to glean from their wisdom and discover ways to serve their own tribal communities. Recently, students visited the home of Ponca tribal Chairman and Elder Oliver Littlecook, Sr., where they spent time in a teepee and heard the Ponca creation story.
Cultural activities and events are an important part of the Club. Members engaged in a game of stickball at the OKC Thunder Native American Student Day and participated in numerous activities during Native American Heritage Month in November, even going to other school sites around Ponca City. They have an upcoming ribbon skirt-making class and a drum class to learn about the drum and songs.
The group works to raise funds to help with their activities, such as a t-shirt fundraiser in January, a raffle and handgame in February, and a car wash in May to raise funds for an end-of-year trip, college tours, and vocational adventures.
Ms. Buffalo Head-Bell explains that the club and the Title VI missions are one and the same. The club is an extension and expands on the vision. For those who are involved, it helps the program feel more like a family, and the youth have more ownership in all they do and achieve. It is the personal successes of the individual students that she and the others involved with the program find most important.
When asked where she wants to see the club go in the future, there are many goals. Along with increasing graduation rates, she would like to have higher rates of following former students through their next steps in life, whether those be careers or higher education. She believes in the connectedness that led her to want to reinstate the club and feels maintaining those relationships can lead to even greater success.
She wants students to continue building leadership skills, and judging from the work the students did at the recruitment day at the junior high school club fair, it is obvious they are on their way with the skill. The students took over organizing their booth and talking to the younger students about the club.
Intergenerational activities are another area where growth is desired. The more crossing over of activities between all generations, the better the understanding, learning and sharing of wisdom. This would seem an ongoing activity that could be valuable in all cultures.
Students do not have to be Native American to join the club. They invite all ethnicities and people to promote understanding among one another. Club meetings are held every other Friday during lunches with regular evening events every month. You can swing by room 210 in the main building at PoHi or watch their FB page for more information if you are interested in joining them.
The opportunities with this group are numerous. As he thinks about the memories he has made, Ryan Buffalohead says, “As I close out my last year with my club, I want to express how thankful I am to get to experience such an amazing club that has brought me closer with my Native peers.”
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