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Posters Emphasize Peace

Young artists throughout the state gained insight into Native American cultures and beliefs by participating in the WEAC Human Relations Committee’s annual 4th-Grade Poster Contest.
This year’s artists focused on the theme, “Live in Peace. Cultivate Peace.”

The winning posters, displayed on this page, were submitted by (top to bottom) Ben Stark in Robin Peterson’s class at Lake Country School, Hartland; Meryl Ellingson in Robin Fatzinger’s class at Wilkins Elementary School, Platteville; and Nicole Lee Jorgensen in Mike Madden’s class at Sevastopol Elementary School in Sturgeon Bay.

Winners each receive a book, “The Birchbark House,” by Louise Erdrich, and a $100 savings bond.

The contest promotes knowledge and appreciation of diverse races and cultures, particularly Native Americans. It aligns with a state law that requires 4th-grade teachers to teach a unit on Native American tribes indigenous to Wisconsin.

“Teachers whose students have participated in the past report that students enjoy making the posters, they learn a great deal, and there’s the excitement of the contest, with the potential for winning prizes,” said committee chair Donelle Johnson, of Milwaukee.

The annual deadline for submitting posters is in January. The contest theme for next year is “Learn All You Can,” a message from Sitting Bull, who encouraged young people to learn the new ways without giving up being Indian. He was quoted as saying, “My grandchildren, be good. Try and make a mark for yourselves. Learn all you can.”

Teachers must submit entries to their local association presidents by January 16, 2004. The top three posters at the local level are sent to UniServ presidents by January 30. After judging by the UniServs, the top three posters are submitted to WEAC by the end of February.