Arlee CDC Sponsors Field Trip to GNP
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Thirty fifth graders and one fourth grader from Arlee learned about the National Park Service and enjoyed art and cultural lessons on a trip to Glacier National Park on May 20th. For a majority of the students, it was their first visit to a national park. The trip was sponsored by the Arlee Community Development Corporation (Arlee CDC) and funded by “Connecting with our Homelands,” a grant from Hopa Mountain with funding from the National Parks Service for Indigenous organizations and schools that want to bring youth ages 5 -18 and elders to a national park to share Indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage, and traditions.
“It’s important to educate young people on our deep connection to the land around us,” Cameron Decker, youth program coordinator for the Arlee CDC. “Knowing more about how the land has nourished people physically, spiritually and culturally through the generations creates a deeper understanding that where we live affects how we live.”
The trip included a presentation from GNP education specialist Matt Daniel about the national parks system, the connection Indigenous people have long had to the park, the importance of conservation, and the endangered species that live in the area. Native artist Aspen Decker gave a lesson on the cultural importance of cedar for providing bark for canoes, baskets, and clothing. She spoke about the protocols and seasonal cycles for these gathering processes, and the importance of preserving natural resources. The kids also received backpacks with art supplies to encourage them to draw inspiration from the park’s natural beauty.
Additional field trips sponsored by the Arlee CDC and the Connecting With Our Homelands grant are planned for Arlee students this summer, including a tour of the Bison Range.
