Durango students celebrate Indigenous culture through traditional games
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DURANGO, Colo. — On Indigenous Peoples' Day, the Durango School District invited children and community members to participate in traditional Indigenous games, including Double Ball, Arrow Throw, and Scream and Run.
Students in the district represent more than 30 different tribes and P.E. teachers introduced the traditional games to connect them to their cultures last year.
“I presented this to a lot of P.E. teachers. They said, yes, we would love to try this,” said Orlando Griego, Title VI program manager.
“It’s not a state requirement, it’s not a district requirement. It’s just something that the teachers are taking upon themselves,” Griego said.
The move to train teachers in the sports and provide them with equipment is part of the Title VI Native American Education program, which uses federal funding to support Native American students and families in the district.
The evening began with Double Ball, a game similar to lacrosse that originates from the Blackfeet people and dates to pre-European colonization of the Americas. Two teams compete to score by hitting a target or goal with the double ball. Each player uses a stick to catch and throw the ball.
“There’s no out of bounds that we would play, but there are rules in this game specifically around respect,” Griego said to a group of eager children.
“Let’s say I bumped him and he fell down. I’m going to put my stick down and I’m going to help him up. He is going to proceed with the game first,” he said.
About 20 students from across the Durango school district spread out in circles to practice passing the ball. In the traditional game, the Double Ball was made of bull testicles, but the 2024 version was made of bison hide stuffed with sand.
It quickly became clear that playing was more challenging than it looked, but their enthusiasm didn’t wane. They picked up the ball with their sticks and tossed it again. Some parents joined in, enjoying the game alongside their children.
As the sun began to set, other games got underway, including Arrow Throw, a game that mimics small game hunting that is so old, it’s unclear when it first came into being. A circular object is tossed on the ground, and players try to hit it with a stick to knock it down. Both the circular object and the sticks are made of willow.
“This isn’t bought from Amazon,” said Griego. “We are taking people up into the mountains, harvesting them, showing them cultural beliefs and traditions. And bring them down to work on them.”
Griego leads volunteers to source the materials for the equipment in the Fall, with the idea that the plants needed will have another year to grow for a new harvest.
Griego also makes equipment for P.E. classes. “I don’t even know if I have a double ball over there right now. I might be sewing today.”
“AHHHHHHH!” a boy screamed at the top of his lungs as he sprinted across the field, stick in hand. Out of breath, he dropped to the ground and shoved his stick into the grass. This was the last game of the evening — Scream and Run — and it attracted plenty of participants.
Logan, who had just finished his turn, returned to the end of the line, waiting for another run. His mother, Janice Canuto, cheered him on from the sidelines. Canuto, who is Navajo, brought her four children to play the games for the first time.
“They’ve really enjoyed it, and it’s really nice to see other indigenous people from my community out there,” said Canuto. “Also to come here and interact with other people instead of staying home and playing video games.
“I haven’t played my PS4 for two months!” Logan protested.
As night fell, the games wrapped up. Many participants stayed to help Griego pick up sticks and clean up the catering table.
“The biggest thing is just getting our kids to have exposure and embracing some games that we’re teaching,” said Griego. “Just ‘cause today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day doesn’t mean that it’s just one day to celebrate. They’re still Native for the rest of the year.”