Indian Community School -

Our ancestors have always observed the seasons, moon, sun and stars, animals, birds, plants and the natural world to guide hunting, fishing, gathering, planting, harvesting, and ceremonies.

We developed our Cultural Calendar as a visual guide for teaching and learning by the seasons, as our ancestors have always done, and in conjunction with the Our Ways Teaching and Learning Framework.™

Some of the programs and events that support and celebrate our languages, cultures, and seasonal view of the world include:

Bear Moon Pow Wow
This is a traditional Pow Wow in January. This is a public event, and all are welcome to attend.

Cultural Celebrations
Monthly student gatherings based on songs, dances and cultural teachings take place during the school day. Families of students are welcome to join us. Please check the Newsletter for times; arrive early and bring a photo ID so that you can check in at the Front Desk before joining our Cultural Celebration.

Deer Harvest Camp
Students learn traditional and contemporary ways of hunting, harvesting, tanning, and processing deer.

Indigenous Peoples Day
School-wide celebration honors 4th-grade ICS students who successfully petitioned Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) is always a very special event at our school. We try to be outside, playing Indigenous Games when weather will allow.

Orange Shirt Day
School-wide observance of Orange Shirt Day remembers the children and survivors of Indian Boarding Schools. All are encouraged to wear orange shirts to honor and support all those affected by Indian Boarding Schools.

Manoomin Camp
Students, staff, and families learn traditional and contemporary ways of gathering, processing, cooking and enjoying wild rice.

Maple Sugar Camp
Students, staff, and families learn traditional and contemporary ways of tapping maple trees, cooking sap, and making maple syrup.

Rock Your Mocs
Students learn about different moccasin types, materials, components, pattern-making, and construction. Rock Your Mocs culminates in November to coincide with Rock Your Mocs Week. #RockYourMocs

Snow Snake
Students learn about the snow snake game, traditionally played during the winter months when there is snow.

Storytelling
Students listen to and enjoy traditional stories told by cultural guests in winter, preferably when Mother Earth has her white blanket of snow.

Winter Round Dance
Students learn about these social gatherings, hand drums, and round dance songs. This is a public event, and all are welcome to attend.