What are the Children Learning?

To sharpen teachers’ focus on student strengths and knowledge, the initial learning agenda included a 10-minute video clip of a previous ceremony. As educators watched, they were asked to keep in mind the questions, “What can you tell about what the children are learning, and how? What are some of the strengths that children exhibit that might have implications for teaching and learning?”  The videotaped ceremony stimulated discussion for participants.

This description captures elements of the videotaped ceremony practice.

As the familiar drumbeat of the Snohomish Welcome Song begins, 100 singers and drummers enter the Tulalip Longhouse.

As is traditional, three head women lead the procession, followed by the eldest male drummers beating their hand drums and raising their hands to greet and thank all visitors who have come to lend support as tribal members pay honor to the first returning King Salmon of the season.

Intermingled among these elder drummers, singers, and dancers, one sees dozens of young children ranging in age from toddler to teen joining in with a focused reverence. As the ceremony unfolds, not a single participant, adult or child, steps out of line. Each participant appears to feel a responsibility for this important work. Every song, dance, and story compels tribal members of all ages to sing and dance in order to conduct the ceremony as it has been for generations.

The beauty and power of ancient songs and dances come alive in the young children as they dance around the three sacred fires on the dirt floor of the longhouse. The importance of the youth in the survival of this culture is evident as this short video clip comes to a close.

Inclusion: Respect and Connectedness