Students in AP History U.S. History and the Science Club participated in the Moundville Indian Festival, Wednesday, Oct. 5.

“One of the key things we concentrated on this year at our visit was the view of their culture versus our culture today in preserving the environment for future generations,” Science Club sponsor Brent McCaleb said.  “The viewpoint of native American tribes was the environment was ‘….borrowed from their grandchildren’… whereas, our culture today claims ‘we inherited the environment from our parents’. The difference at first glance is subtle, but after careful examination there is a huge difference in the point of view. Hopefully, we are preparing generations in the future to borrow the environment rather than inherit it.”

During the festival, performers, artists, and craftspeople entertained and educated visitors about the rich heritage of the southeastern natives.

“My heritage is Cherokee, so I have a definite link to the park,” Moundville Park volunteer John Hardin said. “But it’s the people who bring life to the park and the environment here, of course, is undeniable.”

During the day the students participated in several festivities such as face painting and crafts in addition to visiting the Trader’s Circle and Arts Market.  There was also archaeology in action and a Native American stage with dancers, storytellers, and musicians.  Some also enjoyed to the view the Warrior River had to offer.

 “We enjoyed seeing the Warrior River and climbing the Chief’s Mound, which is the tallest mound here,” sophomore Maggie Lawley said.