Students learn of Native American help during Colonial Days

Parent volunteer Richard Gilmartin had a group of fourth- and fifth-grade El Morro students enthralled Monday as he told them about the ways in which the Iroquois helped European settlers survive in their new home.

His goal was to put what the children were learning during the annual Colonial Days festival into context by explaining how the contributions of Native Americans led to the first Thanksgiving.

As part of the two-day event, organized by the Parent Teacher Assn., students, teachers and administrators dressed up in Native American or pilgrim costumes and turned the school’s multipurpose room into a village reminiscent of colonial America with craft stations set up for dipping candles in wax and sewing fabric together to make pillows.

Before visiting the village, students watched a video that described the Iroquois nation, made up of tribes including the Seneca and Mohawk, that considered themselves extended families in what is today the state of New York.

They built shelters called “longhouses” that symbolized living together as one community. As families grew, residents would add to the longhouse.

Men and women had their specific jobs — men fished and gathered supplies while women typically watched the children, said Gilmartin, who has read books and visited museums on Native American history. He moved to Laguna from New York City this year and and has a first-grader at El Morro.

Everyone held common appreciation for the earth’s resources such as water and sunlight, which helped seeds grow into fruit-bearing plants.

“Thanks to the Native Americans, who without their knowledge and assistance, it’s likely the Europeans would not have survived,” Gilmartin said.

After the 20-minute video, Gilmartin fielded a handful of questions from students, including queries about lacrosse, a sport Native Americans are credited with inventing — and which he happened to play growing up in New York.

Gilmartin said the tribes were industrious, finding materials to make equipment.

“The [tribal] names mean something to me,” Gilmartin said. “Fortunately, a lot of the names survived.”

Founder Marlena McDermott established Colonial Days more than 30 years ago and the festival draws repeat volunteers such as co-chairwomen Kelly Boyd and Patty Tacklind.

“We try to keep it fresh every year,” Principal Chris Duddy said.

For example, this year students could earn beads for exhibiting school character qualities such as trustworthiness, respect and responsibility.

Students could trade beads among themselves and thread them onto necklaces to wear during Colonial Days.