Hannahville Indian School facts for kids

The Hannahville Indian School is a special school for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It is located in Hannahville, Michigan, which is part of Harris Township. This school is connected with the Bureau of Indian Education, which helps support schools for Native American students.

The school also has a partner called the Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy. This academy is a type of charter school. Both schools serve the Potawatomi tribe and the Hannahville Indian Community.

Back in 1990, Hannahville Indian School was the only school in Michigan where all the students were Native American. The name "Nah Tah Wahsh" means "soaring eagles," which is also the school's nickname! The school is close to Wilson, Michigan.

School History

How the School Started

The idea for Hannahville Indian School began in August 1975. Two mothers, Sally Eichhorn and Gloria McCollough, wanted a better education for their tribal children. They felt the local public school, Bark River-Harris School, wasn't meeting their needs.

So, they started a campaign to create a school just for their community. Their hard work paid off! In 1976, the Hannahville Indian School opened its doors. It started small, with only four teachers and two unused rooms.

Growing Over the Years

When it first opened, the school taught students from kindergarten through 8th grade (K–8). As the community grew, so did the school. By 1984, it expanded to include high school grades, becoming a K–12 school. This meant students could stay at Hannahville from their very first day of school all the way until they graduated.

Funding Challenges

For a while, the school tried to get money from the State of Michigan. They asked for funding three times, even requesting $80,000 in 1989. However, the state's Attorney General, Frank Kelley, said no. He explained that because Hannahville Indian School was not controlled by the state, it couldn't get state funding. This was due to a rule added to the Michigan Constitution in 1976.

To solve this problem, the Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy opened in 1995. As a charter school, it could legally enroll students who were not Native American. This change helped the school get the funding it needed. In 2005, the school added a new building to its campus, showing its continued growth.

What Students Learn

Culture and Academics

Hannahville Indian School is special because it teaches more than just regular school subjects. Students also learn about their tribal culture and customs. This helps them stay connected to their heritage.

The school is very focused on keeping the tribal language alive. After 1996, they started offering lessons in the Potawatomi language. This way, younger generations can learn and speak their ancestors' language.

Adult Education

The school also has an Adult Education program. This means that even grown-ups in the community can come to the school to learn new skills or continue their education.

Sports and Activities

Team Sports

In 1990, Hannahville Indian School started its first basketball team. This was an exciting step for the students!

Today, the school offers several sports for students to enjoy:

• Soccer (for both boys and girls)
• Volleyball (for girls)
• Basketball (for both boys and girls)
• Cheerleading (for girls)

These sports help students stay active, learn teamwork, and represent their school with pride.

External links

• Hannahville Indian School