Students visit bookstore to learn about Indigenous culture

PITTSBURG, Ks. (KOAM) -  One local bookstore is helping elementary school students learn about Native American history.

Fourth grade students from Pittsburg Unified School District 250 visited Books and Burrow to view the stores painted mural.

Students have been learning about Native American history, including store owner’s Peoria Tribe. She says it was great being able to help share part of their identity.

"I thought it was really, really super important for just to start with me sharing my story," says Darcie Shultz, Books and Burrow owner and presenter. "And then hopefully, it might inspire somebody else to research their own family history and their culture, because I didn't grow up really knowing a whole lot about my family's history."

The field trip was organized by a group of Pittsburg High School students.

The  students helped with scheduling for the trip and also created worksheets for the younger students.

“It was really exciting getting to see like kind of a younger version of what you imagine yourself like a few a few years ago getting to experience something that you didn't," says student organizer Margaret Hopper.

Shultz shared with the students what Native American symbolism and history could be found in the large mural outside her store.

The students also learned some words and phrases in Peewaalia, a Peoria language.

Shultz says hearing students engage with her culture in such a way was emotional.

“When I was first, we were kind of going back and forth with the language. I had to really try to not cry, honestly, because it's just, I think, just so special.”

The fourth grade students also received a new book from the Books and Burrows non-profit. The book, ‘I can Make This Promise,’ is about a young girl embracing her Native American identity.

Books and Burrow says they hope to hold similar events in the future to continue teaching young students about local Native-American history.

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