Student groups honor Indigenous Peoples' Day
Posted on 10/11/2021
(SPS) -- To mark Indigenous Peoples' Day, Sapulpa Indian Education and the Native American Student Association (NASA) came together for a Native American field day of traditional sports and games.

Students played stickball, traditionally used as an alternative to battle in Native American culture. Stickball, now considered a recreational game, was once a way to settle disputes between tribes or factions, or to prepare young people for combat.

During the field day, students also took part in Cherokee marbles and brushed up on their archery skills.

"Our students represent several different tribes and this is a way to keep these traditions alive," said Kayla Chupco, Indian Education Director at Sapulpa Public Schools. "We hope to make this a larger event each year."

NASA students also created a video on the land of William Sapulpa, son of Chief Sapulpa. The video, called Rise, illustrates the resilience of Sapulpa's tribal members and the deep Native American roots of our city.