Author and storyteller Eileen Charbonneau visited Joan Brocker's seventh grade social studies classes at Haldane Middle School, bringing with her a variety of artifacts collected from her extensive travels across the United States and Canada. Ms. Charbonneau, a descendant of Canadian and Native American explorers, introduced the students to various customs and beliefs of the Seneca, Hopi, Navaho, Seminole and Apache tribes through her collection of jewelry, pottery and many other fascinating ceremonial objects and crafts of the native people.

Ms. Charbonneau's presentation also enhanced the study of sustainability in seventh grade English classes. After reading and discussing Rachel Carson's A Fable for Tomorrow and Robert Frost's Fire and Ice, Anne Kane's students reflected on our personal responsibility for not only sustaining a living environment but also maintaining healthy and fulfilling lives and relationships. Our Native American forebears have modeled stewardship of resources and cooperation among cultures, as seen through Ms. Charbonneau's stories and artifacts. In English class the students will continue to benefit from her presentation in upcoming readings.

Ms. Charbonneau's visit was a very positive learning experience for the students. Maya Curto stated, "I learned a lot and she was a great speaker!" Bridget O'Malley commented "It was a very worthwhile having Ms. Charbonneau come and talk about her Native American ties." Shauna Rickett's added, "Ms. Charbonneau's visit helped me to clearly understand the culture and life styles of the Native Americans that once roamed the Hudson River Valley".

This exciting learning experience was made possible through a grant from the Haldane School Foundation.