CLINTONVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Menominee Indian Tribe member Richie Plass was one of the first to reach out to Clintonville school leaders earlier this month, when four students were seen on video in what the district has described as “disrespectful” and “a mockery” of Native American culture.
“I made a phone call to our tribal school in Keshena. I said, ‘hey, that’s a teachable moment.”
Plass tells FOX 11 hundreds of items fill his ‘Bittersweet Winds’ exhibit.
“I’ve got stuff in here from the 1800s to today.”
Clintonville Superintendent David Dyb tells FOX 11 the goal is to draw attention to the way Native Americans are often portrayed in U.S. culture.
“It’s a societal thing of how we look at and perceive Native American imagery throughout the decades.”
Students toured the exhibit on Tuesday before sitting down for a lesson with Plass.
“Asking him questions. Going through a little bit of a scavenger hunt, a Q&A portion, talking about the exhibit and how it makes them feel,” said Dyb, “the different perceptions, just a tremendous learning experience for our students.”
Dyb hopes learning about different cultures will help the whole district move on.
“The biggest thing is just a greater awareness of their surroundings.”
Clintonville high school has a diversity fair in March. It plans to incorporate Native American culture in that, as well.
