South High School has three academic programs…the open program, liberal arts, and the All Nations program, aculturally specific, Native American program that’s existed for more than 25 years.
A special ventilation system was installed so students in the All Nations program could smudge each morning to get their day started. Smudging is a cleansing ceremony, in which sage is burned in a shell, the smoke is pulled in by participants head to foot and dissipates into the air. It’s a ritual that helps lift any negative energy.
Today the All Nations program invited the entire South student body to the football field with an invitation to participate in the smudging ceremony together. More than 150 participants showed up for this official back to school welcome by All Nations.
Principal Aponte demonstrates to some new students. Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Public Schools
South High’s Principal Aponte joined the group today and demonstrated the ritual for students who are not only new to the school, but new to this country as well.
He noted that, “These new students are already acquainted with the Native community, more than many who’ve lived here all their lives”
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