Hannahville Indian School
| Hannahville Indian School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
15750 Hannahville B-1 Road , 49896 | |
| Information | |
| Motto | Soaring to new heights |
| Established | 1976 |
| Language | Potawatomi |
| Nickname | Soaring Eagles |
| Website | https://www.hannahvilleschool.net/ |
Hannahville Indian School is a tribal K–12 school in Hannahville, Harris Township, Michigan. It is affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).[1] Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy is a charter school affiliated with the institution. The school serves the Potawotami tribe and the Hannahville Indian Community.
In 1990, it was the only school in Michigan whose students were all Native American.[2]
It is in proximity to Wilson.[3]
The name "Nah Tah Wahsh" means "soaring eagles".[4]
History
[edit]Two mothers, Sally Eichhorn and Gloria McCollough, began a campaign to create a tribal school in August 1975 to address the shortcomings of the education of tribal children at Bark River-Harris School.[2] In 1976, the school opened[5] with four teachers. Initially, the school was a K–8 school that occupied two previously unused rooms. The school transitioned from K–8 to K–12 in 1984.[2]
Before and in 1989, the school sought funding from the State of Michigan three times, with the third time being a request for $80,000. Frank Kelley, Attorney General of Michigan, denied these requests. In 1989, he stated that since Hannahville Indian was not under the control of the state itself, it was not considered a public school in Michigan, and therefore could not get state funding as per a 1976 amendment made to the Michigan Constitution, which prohibited the state government from funding schools not considered to be public. Additionally, Kelley stated that the school did not admit non-Native Americans while Ken Pond, the principal of Hannahville Indian, argued that it did.[3]
The Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy, which could legally enroll non-Native Americans, opened in 1995.[5]
An addition was built in 2005.[6]
Curriculum
[edit]The school includes tribal culture and customs in addition to academic subjects.[2] The school intends to continue the tribal language; such language instruction began after 1996.[7]
The school offers an Adult Education program.[5]
Athletics
[edit]In 1990, the school created a basketball team.[4]
Today, the following sports are offered:[8]
- Soccer (co-ed)
- Volleyball (girls)
- Basketball (boys and girls)
- Cheer (girls)
References
[edit]- ^ "Hannahville Indian School". Bureau of Indian Education. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Volgenau, Gerald (January 9, 1990). "All-Indian school puts heritage in classroom". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. pp. 3A, 4A. - Clipping of first and of second page at Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Daubenmier, Judy (May 9, 1989). "Kelley rules out state funds for Indian school". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. Associated Press. p. 10B. - See clipping from Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Bacon, John U. (March 3, 1996). "Understanding the game". The Detroit News. Detroit, Michigan. pp. 1D, 10D, then 9D. - Clipping of first, of second, and of third page at Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "About Us". Hannahville Indian School. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "Client Challenge". www.hannahvilleschool.net. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Flesher, John (February 20, 2001). "Culture preserved by learning tribe's dialect". Battle Creek Enquirer. Battle Creek, Michigan. pp. 1C, 7C. - Clipping of first and of second page at Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Client Challenge". www.hannahvilleschool.net. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
External links
[edit]| Authority control databases: Geographic |
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45°39′37″N 87°20′37″W / 45.6603°N 87.3436°W
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