byline: Thomas Jackson
OKMULGEE – Principal Chief David Hill and Second Chief Del Beaver kicked off Week of the Young Child by reading aloud at the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Okmulgee Child Development Center on Feb. 27.
The read-aloud also coincides with Read Across America Week, or Dr. Seuss Week, an event held on Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Mar. 2, that runs from Mar. 2 to Mar. 6 and encourages a joy of reading.
Principal Chief Hill and Second Chief Beaver read the book “Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story,” a depiction of Indigenous culture written by Kevin Noble Maillard (Seminole) and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal.
In addition to the read-aloud, the children at the Center followed the recipe shown in the book to learn how to make fry bread.
The story illustrates how to make fry bread and shares how Indigenous people were forced from their land and how they made foods like fry bread from what they had, becoming a symbol of endurance.
Okmulgee Child Development Center supervisor Dana Maxwell told Mvskoke Media that it was an honor to have the Principal Chief and the Second Chief participate in Dr. Seuss Week and read the book.
“As we honor this special week, we also renew our commitment to young learners. Investing in early childhood education strengthens families, builds resilient communities, and shapes a brighter future for everyone. Whether through a shared song, a creative art project, or a moment of connection between teacher and family, the Week of the Young Child reminds us that every experience matters-and every child matters,” Maxwell said.
The center celebrated each day of the week with a theme to help the kids have fun. The week culminated on Friday with “Green Eggs and Ham Friday,” where kids wore green and were served green eggs and ham for breakfast.
