Spring break on the Meskwaki Settlement was filled with days of fun and education. In particular, Thursday, March 16, was First Responders Day. Police officers from Meskwaki Nation, Tama, and Toledo, as well as members of the Toledo Fire Department, joined kids at Meskwaki Settlement Schools for the morning. The officers shared their expertise in their chosen fields before joining in some activities with the children.

Some of the fun included a paper airplane competition and a foot race where one Tama police officer apparently got left in the dust. The first responders enjoyed lunch with the students and showed off their vehicles. The events were topped off by the joining of hands in a traditional round dance. Afterward, the students took a trip up to Marshalltown for a tour of their Police and Fire department facilities.

The day was organized by the Meskwaki Youth Development Program. Some of the other happenings planned by Mark Bear, Youth Activity Coordinator for last week’s spring break were: a fry bread making demonstration, honey stick making and scavenger hunt, a fur and plant display from Meskwaki Natural Resources, a dance tutorial and a Flute performance.

All pictures were contributed by Wendy Witt of Meskwaki Media.