The Daily News

As the Circle of Nations School Drum Group played an American Indian honor song, school board members, Russell Hawkins, Woody Keeble's step-son, and Bureau of Indian Education leaders stood silently under the arch of the new dormitory dedicated to Keeble Wednesday. Pieces of newly cut yellow ribbon rested in their hands and floated at their feet after the ribbon cutting ceremony held Wednesday on the school's campus.

Circle of Nations students, faculty and other guests also stood silently, listening to the beat of the drum in a moment honoring the service and heroism of Keeble and the school's 100 year centennial celebration.

"We are so proud that this could be included as we symbolically end our first 100 years and begin our second hundred years," said Judy Roy, school board president.

The Circle of Nations Drum Group played an American Indian flag, veterans and honor song Wednesday morning at the dormitory dedication to Woody Keeble on the school's campus. The group consists of students and cultural leaders from the school. Dedicating the new building Keeble Dormitory was the beginning of a three day celebration commemorating Circle of Nation's 100 years. Daily News photo by Erin Hevern. Advertisement

Before the ribbon cutting ceremony in front of Keeble Dormitory, approximately 100 gathered in Sequoyah Hall Keeble Gymnasium for the invocation and remarks from school officials as well as city and state leaders.

Just as Keeble thought to keep his company safe in battle during the Korean War "we're all gathered to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students, our young people," Roy said.

Circle of Nations School began as the Wahpeton Indian School in 1908 and was the last off-reservation boarding school to be opened by the United States Government. The school operated for a long time as a year-round program emphasizing farming, vocational and domestic skills for boys and girls in grades one through nine. Although the context of programs has changed and the school serves American Indian youth in grades four through eight now their goal remains the same — to facilitate growth and learning among youth while showing care and love for them. Over the course of 100 years, the school has played a part in helping children to become productive and happy adults.

"People like to send their children here because they know their needs will be met," said Kevin Skenandore, Bureau of Indian Education director.

The Wahpeton Indian School became the Circle of Nations School in the summer of 1993 once it converted to tribal grant status. Yearly, the school serves more than 200 children from 30 different tribal groups in a dozen states. Primarily, the children come from North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin.

"I absolutely love that name because it says so much about who we are what we are," Roy said.

She described the school as one that brings together a number of Indian nations to yet another circle — a circle of caring. The circle around the drum, Roy said, represents the heartbeat of their nation.

Stan Holder, also from the Bureau of Indian Education, after several visits to Circle of Nations since 1982 said it's important to note how thoroughly the school reinforces the staff and students' Indian identity.

"They have the rights to develop the same hopes and dreams as everyone else," Holder said.

"Dream big" was also a message from Skenandore who commended Circle of Nations for encouraging students to do just that.

Russell Hawkins, who told the group of Keeble's heroic efforts in battle before the ribbon cutting ceremony, also delivered to the students present a special message.

"He [Keeble] lived a good life, he died a good death and he left a good name behind," Hawkins said. "You don't have to take out three bunkers to leave a good name behind."

He left the students with a message from the Bible — to "walk worthy" of the vocation you choose in life.

"Circle of Nations is the Spirit of Youth Empowered" is the school's sole mission and purpose. With their 100th birthday celebration underway students, staff and residents are looking back on a century of accomplishment and seeking another 100 years of educating and caring for American Indian youth.

The school's celebration will continue Thursday and Friday with a number of scheduled events. There will be a wellness walk or run at 10 a.m. Thursday as well as a Pow Wow at 1 and 6 p.m. Friday events include a graduation for the eighth grade students at 9:30 a.m.

Comments

Clay Carpenter wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 PM:

" RIP Dave,
I miss all our good times in Germany.
Your a Patriot and the definition of an American. "




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Veronica A wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:12 AM:

" I used to go this schoool and its a very good school and I really like and miss it but i have moved on and now and a better person but I really liked that school and I hope it lasts for ever!!!!!! Class of 05-06 "




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Marie wrote on Aug 6, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Mr Smith owes the Geffres an apology? How about the Geffres apologize to the community of Hankinson. In two short years that family has torn apart a school, a community, family and friends. They have showed no respect for Hankinson. Hankinson is not their community! It's time for the Geffres to move on. "




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MARY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:53 AM:

" AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, I THINK OUR SUPERINTENDENT JESS SMITH OWES THE GEFFRE FAMILY A PUBLIC APOLOGY FOR SOME OF HIS COMMENTS TO THE PRESS. AFTER ALL, HE VICTIMIZED THEM PUBLICLY. IT ISN'T LIKE HE'S TOO BUSY PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN! "




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Ben wrote on Jul 30, 2008 12:21 AM:

" I think he resigned because he knew that people would find out the truth if that meeting took place.....how come after all the media he hyped up to make the Geffres llok bad, did he change his mind and resign?....in my opinion he did it to save his own skin "




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Vern wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:37 PM:

" I agree with the previous poster that this was not about the girls getting playing time. He should probably not be allowed to teach at any age level ever again. "




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Kaye wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:33 PM:

" There is more to this than just the Geffre's complaints and Jess Smith knows it, why doesn't he just come clean about everything and all complaints there has been on Gravalin in the past three years,he has been covering up and sweeping under the rug so to speak. This isn't just about parents that didn't think their girls got to play enough. Shouldn't the first duty of his position be to protect our children. "




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