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Native Cultdte Da Lva::;,lt• ~12/r(J Students at the Brantrord Collegiate Institute were skip- ping regular classes on Friday, ln favor of those taught by the ;school's native students. The gym was transformed in- fo a living classroom for Native Culture Day, with demonstra- tions and dlsolavs ot'.,,mtive art. music, cooking and conununity programs. ' . The most popula,r l~ was about lacrosse, with many non- native students trying ·ou~ tbe sport for the ftrst time. . "I loved the lacrosse game," said Grade 10 .student Danette Woodhouse. . "I've n~ver play.ed before, and it's a lot different, ~d harder, when -you're playing than when you're watching." she said with a laugh. · · The program was organized and run entirely by the Native Club .at the school. a group ofi about 40 students. The club was founded to help native students learn about their own traditions and to share this knowledge with other students. c1we really learn about our- selves," said Corey Rill,1 one oli the organizers of the. program. "But we need other .people to bow about us as well . 0 Tbu isn't figbtlnJ· for tschool) leadership· or: a:ftythlng, -it's to help us do things togeth• . er:..and to work together," . aald the Grade 12 student. · Lana Roswell ls . one ot the · few non-native members of the club. She says she got· involved .because she is fascinated by na- tive culture. "T.bls whole thilJC ls about · learzun,c about each other" said ~ Grade 13 atudent.· "The.- ve people have a ~ iat1u- e on us and we have a great =tf kejfh 1b1ldall 1w ,... pie.eel with the ~UviJie,1. ~e neat tbµ;ig Q1181il": .u '.all ' of i l'.J ~ t live it" a little biJ, he added. Donna Marahall la the· guid- ance counsellor for the Six -Na- tions students -at · the . high · school. Her impression, echo those of~ viee-prineljw. - "It helps the 114tive student . to. feel pride 1n his. owta oult1,u'e1 and unUl he feels pride 1n ·who he ls:he can't be-very .succesa- ftll. An acUvtty Uke this · teally . tells him he's okay." Both staf'l: members said it's tmportant for staff' and students to show their support for the na- tive students. ' ' The displays were divided in- to three sections. The first \Vas the lacrosse . game, where stu- dents and teachers made con- stant substitutions to. keep the game nilinlng tor hours. . · There was also a traditional area, with· drummel'S, artwork by students· and professionals and jewel~. The third sect1oa wu fbl1. of mformatlon aboJat ·newel' programs ln the . native communib'. lnellldµJg dq ~. policlna. tourlsm, and -1plrg- ,-nt pl'QO'IUn4. Tradlijonal f®d, c®ked by aative parents; song and dance were also included in. the pro-gram. . Many or the partici~ts were from the Six Nati• eom- unlty, including artists, · busi- ness people and puents. 'Ibey all thought the c:ulture day was an excellent opportunity for the studtmta . to learn about eaeh· · other and about na ' ·