Beginning with indigenous peoples’ month in November, Wilson SGA is doing its best to integrate the recognition of cultural months into Wilson students’ everyday lives. 

The SGA’s objective for Indigenous Peoples’ month during November was to raise money to fund organizations that help indigenous students. Freshman president Maddie Nusbaum says “all of our fundraisers [this month], such as the movie in the auditorium, are going to an indigenous people college fund so they can afford college.” 

SGA is hoping to schedule these fundraisers for causes Wilson students care about in order to bring the Wilson student body together. Due to lack of approval from administrators, SGA cannot yet specify future fundraiser themes, but senior Reagan Allvin says that in the new year, they ‘hope to plan and support activities to honor history and heritage through collaboration with Wilson student groups and local organizations.’ Allvin’s appreciative of the student body for their participation.

In November, the SGA organized a few fund-raising activities in order to raise money for this charity, including Gratitude Grams and the movie night. Gratitude Grams gave students a chance to express their gratitude to friends by buying a gift that would later be delivered to their classroom. Wilson students also chose a horror movie for movie night. On November 19th there was a viewing of the Quiet Place with a three dollar admission fee. 

Indigenous Peoples’ Month is the first official culture month run by Wilson’s new SGA, since it only began functioning recently. They are still discussing their preferred method of highlighting the importance of these culture months. 

The specific fund is the American Indian College Fund, a nonprofit that invests in Native American students’ education. It is the country’s top indigenous charity providing indigenous students access to higher education. Since 1989, the American Indian College fund has an impressive record, investing more than $237 million into indigenous communities. They have also awarded 143,281 scholarships, and support more than 200 Native American tribes.

SGA Adviser Simona Spicciani says that they “are learning to do fundraisers, [along with] other community service, like the coat drive, the can drive, and the toy drive to [bring] the Wilson community together towards a goal.”  •