Opan Opu Oponok (Bread in the Oven)
This winter, regional coordinators of the Migrant Education Program (MEP) have been working alongside families and students statewide to provide educational support as well as culturally relevant enrichment activities.
Students in action during MEP’s most recent online event!
One of the most recent activities was planned and run by James Mendoza, regional coordinator for Eastern Washington County. He collaborated with teachers and staff at Indian Township School to celebrate Passamaquoddy language and culture-through food!
With the support of Brenda Lozada and Regina Nicholas, students and families read, “Opan Opu Aponok,”(Bread in the Oven) a cultural book about baking ‘skawey’ (raised bread). Students and families then put their baking skills to the test and baked their own skawey at home.
Brenda Lozada and Regina Nicholas are community leaders and teachers that have been teaching Passamaquoddy language and culture at Indian Township School for over 30 years. The recipe for skawey belonged to their mother, Joann Dana, who was a celebrated cultural leader in the community, and this activity was dedicated to her as a way to celebrate her legacy.
The book, “Opan Opu Aponok,” (Bread in the Oven) has been read since the 1970’s in Indian Township. During the event Brenda read the book in both Passamaquoddy and English, and many parents of MEP students remembered reading it as children.
James shares,
“We wanted to plan an activity that families could do together, and bring memories from parents’ past into their children's future. This was a great activity because both parents and students enjoyed reading the book and got to share the experience of baking together.”
The activity was held on Zoom in order to keep everyone safe and socially distanced due to the spike in COVID-19 cases statewide. MEP distributed activity kits with pre-measured ingredients, and the Indian Township School lunch program provided milk.
Having the event be virtual also allowed for more people to attend, including Donald Soctoma, the Passamaquoddy tribes museum director. He was able to share his expertise and provide support for additional questions (Visit the Passamaquoddy Cultural Heritage Museum facebook page for more information).
James says,
“I truly had a ball! A stand out moment for me was watching our students cooking, getting messy and smiling. Also, seeing all of the families come together. Virtual activities like this during this pandemic unite us so we can continue to be together and celebrate. We design our programming around the interests and needs of students and families. After this event we have lots of participants wanting to do more cooking activities together, so we will plan more!”
The MEP team has even more events on the horizon! Currently, regional coordinators are in the process of planning college tours, information nights, and virtual art classes in collaboration with Schoodic Arts for All.
A special thank-you to: Brenda Lozada, Regina Nickolas, David Soctoma, Tonya Tomah and the Indian Township School for making this event possible.
If you are interested in learning more about the MEP program, please visit our website!
