By Dan Sullivan
Superior Catholic Herald
Quilts, Ojibwe crafts help support school
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Agnes LaRonge, also known as Grandma Aggie, helps support St. Francis Solanus School in Reserve by making quilts. These and other Native American crafts are sold in a store at the school to support its operation. (Catholic Herald photo by Dan Sullivan) |
RESERVE -- LLiterally tucked away in the north woods of Wisconsin are the St. Francis Solanus Mission and School. Since it is located on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation, the majority of the students at the school are Ojibwe children.
Like any Catholic school, those involved at St. Francis Solanus look for creative fund-raising efforts in order to keep the lights on and the doors of the school building open.
According to Sr. Felissa Zander, the school, which was established in 1885, has been raising funds through the sale of craft work for over 70 years. Since the 1920s, a wide range of Native American crafts have been made and sold to help sustain the school. Zander serves as principal and a teacher at the school.
On Friday, Feb. 27, the building was bustling with activities -- from the youngest of children to adults -- all doing craft work.
Assisting kindergarten and first graders in their efforts was Brandyn Stevens, an eighth grader. Stevens said he likes coming to this school and recalled being in this same classroom for kindergarten.
"It's fun and educational," Stevens said. "It shows us our heritage. We are Native and proud of it."
During craft time in this classroom Sr. Maryrose Theobald, carefully guided each student in his or her work. Destiny Harrington was among the students proudly doing her crafting of bead rings. She exclaimed, "I made three rings."
Meanwhile, in an upstairs classroom, Zander had older students doing more intricate bead work. They string a wide selection of colorful beads together to form ornate beaded patterns.
Although the majority of its students are from the Ojibwe community, this school, Zander said, is for anyone. "This mission and school were built for the Ojibwe, but we have had non-Indians here, too."
Zander and Theobald are the two School Sisters of St. Francis who are the backbones of the school. They have been here since 1961 and 1967, respectively.
Theobald is instrumental in starting the youngest students off in the bead work. "It teaches them about their heritage," she said. "This is their way in helping to support the school."
The bead rings that the kindergartners and first graders make, along with the other craft work completed by older students and supporters, are all sold in a gift shop at the school
After some 37 years at this tiny school, Theobald still smiles when reflecting on her time here. "I just love the area and the kids," she said. "I just love seeing the kids grow in their faith and learning everything. When they first come here, they can't make the sign of the cross and they learn that Jesus is important in their lives."
Catholic education and faith are why Zander has stayed here so many years.
"We are here to do the work and mission of the church, she said. "The best way to spread the word of God is through the Catholic school."
St. Francis Solanus School is unique in that it is a non-tuition school.
"This is done through the cooperation of parents and the children making the items to put in the shop," Zander said.
"It's not only income for running the school and the educational programs that we have, but it also promotes the Ojibwe culture. The culture has never died out on this reservation, but on many reservations it has."
Besides the bead work of the children, adults have contributed numerous native crafts, including birch bark work, carvings, dream catchers, dancing sticks and other ornamental works.
"They keep bringing the items in and we never have a shortage," Zander said. "Even with the new competition of stores, we have no trouble getting the work."
At just a month shy of 90 years old, Agnes LaRonge won't be caught rocking her day away in front of the television. Instead, this tribal elder, better known as Grandma Aggie to the school children, has been assisting with the craft effort for 20 years. She spends some five hours a day at the school engaged in the art of quilt making. She hand crafts each, one stitch at a time.
"It gets me away from home," LaRonge says with a chuckle. "I used to have help and they all retired, but I'm still going. It all helps keep the school open."
Editor's note: According to Zander, the school's store is open all day, every day. For additional information call 715-865-3662.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004