Coolidge High School honors Native American Heritage Month

Joseph Morales
GRIN Intern

On Nov. 21, Coolidge High School (CHS) held a Native American Heritage Month Celebration (NAHM). This all came together with the help of Jerry Curley, Gila River Indian Community K-12 Student Advisor at CHS. The process of this event started on July 23, 2024. Staff emailed Mr. Curley when they did summer training in Tucson. When we spoke he shared “At this training they showed a video of how students, the district, and the surrounding community at Desert View High School collaborated on an idea to build a “vatho” on the grounds of the high school.” The idea was presented to CHS Principal; Dr. Natay Ferguson, GRIC Tribal Education Department’s Culture and Language Program along with the Coolidge Unified School District.

Meetings with written proposals were sent to Juan Buatista de Anza National Historic Trail in October for possible funding of the project and the celebration. The proposals were accepted and allowed the project to proceed. CHS students and parents built the “vatho” on November 20th with the dedication the next day.  

The “Vatho” dedication and ceremony blessing would start the evening for the NAHM celebration. The Keli Akimel Basket Dancers would finish the opening portion. More performances happened in the evening such as Tony Redhouse a Native American music awards recording artist; Champion hoop dancer, Naiche Duncan; and One way Sky, an alternative rock band from the Gila River Indian Community and Tohono O’odham Nation.

Food and vendors were in attendance throughout the night. One booth was honoring Native American Veterans in the Marine Corps such as Minnie Spotted-Wolf and Ira Hayes. Andras Smith of District 2 Hashan Khek was the student in charge. He is a cadet in JROTC Program that was presenting the information. Afterwards he stated “I think it’s cool, having an event like this at my own school.” 

The agenda ended with the performances in the school’s performing arts center. All left after a night of honoring and celebration for Native American Heritage Month. This event would mark the first of its kind for CHS.