PHILADELPHIA—Neshoba Central High students have been busy, crafting Native American necklaces in their school colors of red, white and blue.

For two weeks, students are learning about the history and culture of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians through storytelling, dancing, beading and cooking Choctaw food. The program is made possible through a grant from the NoVo Foundation, according to Rachel Kiepe, the school’s library media specialist.  

Phyllis McMillan, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, came to the school to share her tribal beading skills with the students. She encouraging them to create something meaningful, such as jewelry they could wear to pep rallies. 

With that in mind, the students created diamond-shaped necklaces. McMillan said that in Choctaw culture, the diamond shape represents the diamondback rattlesnake, which eats rodents trying to destroy the farmers’ crops.

The next generation

Kiepe says the grant has not only allowed students to learn about a different culture, it also encourages them to research an interesting topic. So far, middle and high school students are participating in the program, but Kiepe hopes to expand it to the elementary level.

Kiepe said she has seen more Choctaw students attending schools in the Neshoba County district, so she sees the program as a way for non-Choctaw students to connect with Choctaw culture. Her vision is for the school library to feature a mix of different cultures, including a section on African-American history. Kiepe has also encouraged teachers to include Choctaw culture in their lesson plans.

“We’ve got to create the next generation of leaders for all cultures,” said Kiepe.

Casey Bigpond, also a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, is a 2003 graduate of Neshoba Central. He said that when he was in school, there was little emphasis on Choctaw culture, so he’s glad to see programs like this one. 

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, Kiepe hopes to get another grant to start a Native American course, then offer it online. That would  allow the class to work with people’s schedules and to be used at other schools. Kiepe said the class will also have a Choctaw language component.  

Most of all, Kiepe hopes her students gain insight about Choctaw culture as they learn about the tribe’s unique contributions.  

“It gives them an understanding and a respect,” said Kiepe.