Rush Creek Elementary School students learn and play during naturalist visit

Third graders at Rush Creek Elementary School recently received a visit from a naturalist from the Eastman Nature Center. The naturalist led students through games that have been played in the local area in past generations. 

The students first played a throwing game called Papassikwan, where they used two sticks to throw an item back and forth between them. The students had to work as a team to keep the item in the air.

The students also practiced throwing spears through hoops, something that the naturalist told them the Dakota who lived in the area used to play. Students learned how it helped the Dakota practice hunting bison. The naturalist also talked about why there are no bison in the area anymore. 

Last, the third graders played a game that the European settlers played when they came to the area called Pom Pom Pull Away, where the students ran back and forth with a few trying to tag the others, until all of the players were taggers. The group talked about what skills they needed for the game, and why they played it.