Spaulding students are taught about Indian life
by Dot Callaghan
Rochester
I'd like to respond to Mr. Sanfaçon's letters concerning the Red Raider.
The more he writes, the more I realize he's confused. When he stated, "It's difficult to educate people in an hour," I thought, does he mean Rochester teachers do not educate their students about American Indians? If that is so, he's quite mistaken.
I've taught in Rochester since 1962 and I know that every elementary student in the public schools has had many hours of education about American Indians, their history, their culture and their brave character. It's a big part of our curriculum.
Two schools for many years have taken students to Sandy Point in Stratham to spend the day learning about the Msquamskek Indians in our area. They walk the Arrowhead Trail and spend the day being educated about those who walked New Hampshire before the white people. We eat their food and attempt to do their work.
I attended a workshop given by an Abenaki Indian last year, along with 40 other teachers. We were taught how to correctly teach Indian history and their way of life. It was so fascinating that most of us stayed an extra hour.
Have you read any of the children's book that have recently been written by Indians? What a new outlook they give on Indian heritage.
We all know the Indian way of life was quiet and peaceful, honoring the earth by taking only what they needed to survive, wasting nothing. It wasn't until the French forced them to fight in the French and Indian War against the colonists, that they become warriors and raiders. But, this was done so they could survive and provide for their families.
Now to mention your "problem with semantics."
What a horrible, disgusting way you described the proud profile or beautiful silhouette of the Red Raider. If anyone has misconstrued your intent, it has to be you.
Where do you get this "race-based" issue, writing that Mr. Callaghan was out of line to say he thought it was nit-picking? Tell me.
Have you hosted a teenage Indian boy in your house for a year? Have you hosted an Indian family for Columbus Day? (It was quite an interesting weekend.) That family was here from New Mexico to take a girl for an interview at Dartmouth.
I think Frank has a great understanding on Indian values and he respects them.
Are you saying Councilman Healy was wrong because his Indian heritage likes the Red Raider. He backs it and also wants more Indian education.
The chief is wrong?
We all respected your views and listened, now it would be graceful of you to do the same.
