In honor of Native American Heritage Month, John "Coyote" Vinson, a board member of the Baltimore American Indian Center, spoke with a group of Middle School boys on Thursday, November 21. "Coyotes are a nuisance animal," he said. "I was a good kid but I loved to play jokes at home," he continued, explaining why his parents gave him his name.

Mr. Coyote, who is part Eastern Band Cherokee and part Lumbee Indian, began with the practice of smudging using sacred white sage to cleanse the space. He talked about the Piscataway tribe, whose people were among the original inhabitants of the land we now know as Baltimore. The boys also learned about the Native American tradition of passing stories down to each generation. Mr. Coyote explained that people go to their elders to hear stories. "My great grandfather told them to my grandfather, who told stories to my mother, who told stories to me, and I share them with my grandchildren," he said. "Once you've heard the truth, you too now have that obligation to share that story."

Mr. Coyote shared about the history of Thanksgiving from the Native American perspective. Although the holiday has come to represent a time for food, family, and gratitude for Americans who celebrate today, its origins are rooted in the colonization of the indigenous people's land, and for their descendants, the day can be a painful reminder of that devastation.

After the presentation, boys asked thoughtful questions and explored some artifacts Mr. Coyote brought with him, like a log house replica, fishing and hunting gear, a mandala, and traditional clothing.

Thank you to Middle School Librarian Mark Welch for organizing Mr. Coyote's visit!

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