MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Peters
Communications & Public Affairs Specialist
612.668.0233
heather.peters@mpls.k12.mn.us 

Hiawatha Elementary School presents Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song™ with Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Larry Long

MINNEAPOLIS – Hiawatha Elementary School will host a community celebration honoring three community elders on Friday. 

Larry Long, Executive Director of Community Celebration of Place and creator of Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song, has been working with 3rd and 4th grade students at Hiawatha Elementary School to collectively write songs and gather recitations that honor the life stories of the following community elders:

• Oscar Reed – Former professional American football player who played running back for eight seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. He currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota mentoring youth in public schools.  
• Nelda Goodman – Grew up on the Menominee Reservation in Wisconsin.  Works at a battered women’s shelter in Minneapolis.  Mentors First Nation women and girls.  Grandmother.  Jingle dressmaker.   
• Jamie Williams – Born in Minneapolis and went to Minneapolis Public Schools. She now is a Justice Practice / Measure Consultant, Trainer, Teacher and Circle Keeper. She works for Amicus Radius Program and as an independent consultant to schools and community organizations.

The Elder Wisdom, Children’s Song™ community celebration is organized by the Community Celebration of Place (501-C-3) in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools and the West Metro Education Program (WMEP).     

WHAT: Hiawatha students in grades 3 -4 will present songs and stories which honor the life stories of three community elders

WHEN: Friday, February 24, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Hiawatha Elementary School, 4201 42nd Avenue S.