Ahead of Spence’s Thanksgiving Break, Upper School students from each Grade shared words of gratitude for community members across departments and roles. The gathering also included an insightful presentation by fifteen students in the Literature of Indigenous Peoples class, who contextualized November as Native American Heritage Month. In crafting their presentation, the group of students wanted to center Indigenous voices. They opened their presentation with a land acknowledgement for Spence’s location, including a background of the Lenni Lenape people, the meaning of their name, and some contemporary locations that highlight the remaining Indigenous presence in New York City. Students spoke of the first recorded contact between the Lenni Lenape and European settlers, of the agreement by which the Dutch believed they had purchased the island of Manahatta, and the historical background about the construction of Wall Street. The students also explained where the Lenni Lenape reside now, ways to construct a thorough and informed land acknowledgement, and places where students can learn more.

 

Students provided an overview of the texts that compose their Indigenous Literature study, in addition to highlighting the importance of empathetic curiosity in their academic approach. One student explained, “We make a conscious effort to avoid exoticizing and universalizing Indigenous experiences. In doing this, we have avoided applying Western perspectives to traditional oral-based knowledge.” Students communicated the conscious and proactive approach that characterize Spence’s instruction of reading cross-culturally, a cornerstone of the World Literature electives.

 

Underlining the importance of utilizing reliable sources in their study of Indigenous history, the students emphasized the ways in which Indigenous communities are ongoing and current rather than relegated to the past. They shared videos from two Indigenous content creators to exemplify ways to learn about and support Indigenous voices in contemporary modes.

 

Upper School students also shared a video about Native Americans’ varied feelings toward Thanksgiving, detailed the history of Native American Heritage Month, and shared multiple perspectives about the designated month. The students crafted a wonderful presentation that emphasized this month as an opportunity for developing a deeper understanding as well as to engage more fully with our continent’s history.