The Native American Student Association (NASA) recently began working with the Meskwaki Settlement School in nearby Tama to provide academic tutoring to Meskwaki students during an after-school program. The school, located about 25 miles north of Grinnell on the Meskwaki Settlement, is the only Native American school in Iowa.

Led by NASA president Molly Sykes '09, Grinnell College students go to the settlement every Thursday afternoon to tutor students in math, science, English and history; students also play sports and learn about Meskwaki culture and language.

The Meskwaki school system is committed to a bilingual/bicultural academic experience that serves to blend Meskwaki language, history, and culture with a broad knowledge base to prepare students for success both on and beyond the settlement. The after-school program, run by Anne Blackcloud, reflects this mission by balancing cultural activities — storytelling, for example — with English-language tutoring.

Sykes feels the tutoring program is "a great opportunity to build good relations between the Meskwaki community and Grinnell College.

"We [NASA] have a lot of ideas, like SAT/ACT preparation, creative writing, and mentoring, but most of all we just want to expose Grinnell students to the Meskwaki community and culture, and expose Meskwaki children to Grinnell College. Hopefully, we will encourage high school students to think about Grinnell College as an option after high school," Sykes said.

Email nasa@grinnell.edu for more information regarding volunteer opportunities.

Pictured: Volunteers Molly Sykes '09 (left) and Emma Lawler '09