Toka Nuwan Wayawa Tipi School Helps The Birds

On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, students from the Toka Nuwan Wayawa Tipi (Enemy Swim Day School) were at the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern South Dakota, not just to visit, but to help the birds.

After a brief program on the threat windows can pose to migratory birds, the students went to work helping us prevent bird collisions on the large glass entryway to the Visitor Center. Six students, with help from their teachers, designed a nature-themed mural and recreated their mural on the glass entryway. The mural was done with temporary paints and the group left thinking of ideas for their next mural.

Enemy Swim Day School (Toka Nuwan Wayawa Tipi) is located in the Enemy Swim Community adjacent to Waubay NWR and is administered by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.

The glass doors of the Waubay NWR Visitors Center, before the mural was installed.
A student from Toka Nuwan Wayawa Tipi (Enemy Swim Day School) paints a mural on the visitor center doors of Waubay NWR
Students installing a mural on the doors of the Waubay NWR visitors center.
Children from Enemy Swim Day School (Toka Nuwan Wayawa Tipi) paint the door of the Waubay NWR Visitor Center.
Mural on the doors of Waubay NWR. Artwork by the students of Toka Nuwan Wayawa Tipi (Enemy Swim Day School).
The completed mural on the doors to the visitors center at Waubay NWR. Artwork by the students of Toka Nuwan Wayawa Tipi (Enemy Swim Day School).

Story Tags

Art
Education outreach
Environmental education
Migratory birds
Partnerships

Recreational Activities