Did you know that, in 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month?

Lyle School celebrated our Native American students and families this Monday, November 22, when Lyle High School Senior Myeengan Syrette shared his Native American heritage with the Lyle School student body through two Woodland Traditional dances of the Great Lakes region.

Myeengan is Ojibwa-Anishinaabe on his father's side from the First Nation of Batchewana, Rankin Reserve, and of the Myeengan Clan, which means Wolf Clan. On his mother's side, he is Lower Chehalis and Clatsop from Shoalwater Bay tribe and Hawaiian from the island of Maui.

The dances he shared have been passed through generations of ancestors to Myeengan’s father, and then taught to him as a young toddler. Ming wears traditional Regalia when he dances. He explained that every piece of the Regalia has special meaning and was made and gifted by family members or specially traded. His moccasins – gifted to Ming by his Uncle and Auntie Joe & Alice Martineau -- were the oldest piece of regalia he wore for the dance.

Every step of the dance is sacred and carries a story about hunting, gathering or protecting the community. Students were encouraged to listen for the drumbeat in the song and watch how the dancer’s steps matched the beat. “The beat of the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth and our own hearts connecting all of us,” Myeengan’s mom, Heather Lopez, explains.

The first dance, Myeengan explained, told the story of his people, their traditions and, ultimately, his story. The second dance is called a “sneak up,” and can be a dance about going to war, or as in Myeengan’s interpretation, of going on a hunt.

Myeengan now travels around the country to dance. This past summer he participated in gatherings in Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. He said dancing, “keeps me connected to the earth and my culture.”

Students listened and watched respectfully and asked good questions, including one asking where he found his songs. Myeengan said that every song is passed down by Elders and Ancestors. “There are hundreds of songs, and the singers and drummers are very important. They have to remember the songs, each of which tells a story.”

As we gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, let's also remember the original inhabitants of this land, our Indigenous Peoples, and thank and honor the Ancestors who made it possible to carry on these traditions. Myeengan also conveyed his thanks to his fellow students, saying "Chi Miigwech" .... thank you in Ojibwa- Anishinaabe.