Did you know that ICS students are the reason Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated throughout the state of Wisconsin? That's right! In 2016, 4th graders petitioned the Milwaukee County Board, and they won! Feeling encouraged, our students then went on to testify at the State Capitol in 2017. While they didn't win there, we had an amazing outpouring of support from the Native community, elected officials, tribal leaders, and the news media. We also had an amazing rally and filled our State Capitol with our songs as we round danced inside the Capitol Rotunda!
Two years later, Governor Tony Evers came to our school to sign Executive Order No. 50. We gathered inside the Drum of our school, and the Governor signed the Executive Order in front of all of our students and tribal leaders from across Wisconsin's Indian Country.
We got to celebrate once again that October when Milwaukee County informed us that Columbus Park was being renamed to Indigenous People's Park, and our school was invited to be a part of the unveiling! Again, with tremendous community support, we held an exciting rally at the park's location on Milwaukee's north side, where we listened to our student drum and speeches from legislators, leaders, and our students. It was an amazing day!
In 2020, when many schools were shut down, Indian Community School was able to offer both in-person and remote teaching and learning to our students. Governor Evers' office reached out and asked us to be a part of a special video to commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day and celebrate the importance of education. That video can be seen here:
We couldn't be more proud of our students, their teachers, and the community in supporting them. Our students proved that you don't have to be an adult to make a difference, so we celebrate them and their amazing achievements. Happy Indigenous Peoples Day today and every day!