In 2024, the Blake School A Cappella Choir and Chamber Orchestra were selected to perform at MMEA where we performed Čhaŋté Wašté Hokšíla (My Kind-Hearted Boy) by Dr. Licinthum-Blackhorse.

Learning this piece has been an incredible opportunity to learn more about Mni Sóta Makoce and the Dakota and Ojibwe people, who are the traditional stewards of this land. A special thanks to Chaz Wagner (Bois Forte Ojibwe) for sharing how to teach and perform traditional melodies, Anna Reid for helping develop and shape curricular connections, Dr. Thomas Wyatt for facilitating conversation with Dakota artists, and Reuben Kitto Stately (Red Lake Nation and Santee Sioux Nation), who joined us in class to share music, stories and perspectives in engaging with Native music.