An Enriching Field Trip for SD55 4th Grade Students!

Organized and run by the Blackfoot High School Indigenous Club, all 4th grade students in Blackfoot Idaho School District #55 received a one-day field trip on February 28, 2023 to the Fort Hall Indian Reservation where they learned Idaho History from a Native point of view. Every child participated in Native American games, crafts, history exhibits and interpretations. A brief bus tour of some of the historic locations was also given.  Afterwards, each student was invited to submit an essay of what they learned and their impressions of what they saw. The top three entrants received cash prizes of $500, $300, and $100 respectively.

Many of the non-Native students had no previous experience with the Native culture or the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Their excitement and interest were obvious.  Perhaps the most valuable result of the event was the respect and understanding gained by the non-Native student for their classmates. They saw them in a new way.

Lillian Vallely Youth Foundation partnered with the district by granting the funds that provided transportation for all the children to and from the reservation.