Two Northern Oklahoma College students recently read stories to Tonkawa Elementary students on Nov. 16 as part of Native American Heritage Month.
NOC Freshmen Denver Wahwassuck and James Young each read to two classes of Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students.
Wahwassuck read “Addie, Be Brave” while Young read “Frybread for Addie.” The books are authored by Mindy Standley and illustrated by C.R. Redcorn. Standley is a member of the Osage Tribe.
Both stories are set in the World War II time frame.
“It was a lot of fun to read to the students,” Wahwassuck said. “James and I both had a good time. The students were so well behaved. They really paid attention to the story.”
Students were treated to Native American fry bread during the “Frybread for Addie” story courtesy of the Tonkawa Tribe.
“I want to thank the Tonkawa Tribe and Tonkawa Elementary for helping our students share these stories,” said Gina Conneywerdy, Native American Advisor at Northern Oklahoma College.
“We are fortunate at Northern Oklahoma College to have an outstanding partnership with the Tonkawa Tribe and Tonkawa Public Schools,” she added.
Tonkawa Elementary Principal Kelly Martin said she appreciates the students coming to TES.
“It was wonderful to have two college students come and read to some of our classes,” Martin said. “Each student went to a couple of classrooms and read a Native American story. The elementary students were excited to hear the story and then each student received a piece of fry bread. I want to thank NOC Thunder Club and Gina Conneywerdy for helping us celebrate Native American Heritage Month.”