Reconnecting with the Native Americans – Ah Tah Ti Ki
Ah Tah Ti Ki Field Trip
SP Students watching Imam Zaid and company dropping knowledge before our field trip.
This past month, Sanad Prep went to an amazing Native American reservation called Big Cypress Indian Reservation. We hope to share some parts of the trip in this blog.
Actually, before we even left the center we watched a short video of Imam Zaid Shakir and learned more about the concerns of Native Americans, Standing Rock, and the North Dakota Pipeline issue.
We carpooled with Sanad Prep staff and parents, that’s how we role until we get nice big bus or van of our own. (Donations anyone?) Anyway, the rides to and from are always memorable (more on that later). The older boys rode with Ustadh Rehan (he’s cool), the older girls with Ustadha Fareeza (she’s cool too), and the youngest students
A bonfire welcomes guests to the museum.
had the nicest ride with SP Parent, Sr. Maram (the older students were jealous:)
The reservation is waaay out there. Towards the end we drove on a long, winding road that had beautiful landscape on all sides, we saw lots of alligators, birds, and many other forms of wildlife. The view all around us was amazing. Ustadh Rehan lowered the windows and opened the sunroof for us. The only word we could use to describe it is Subhan’Allah. The skies were all blue, the lands were lush green, and the sun was shining bright, and the clouds
The Boardwalk, filled with spooky snakes that lurk out of nowhere.
were soft white. The trip was off to a good start.
Upon our arrival, our host welcomed us with a traditional bonfire. We then watched a short video produced by the Seminole about there history in the Big Cypress forest. After the film we visited the very informative exhibits of the museum. Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki is owned by the Seminole Tribe and they have done a wonderful job with the exhibits and in sharing so much knowledge with visitors.
Afterwards we walked on a beautiful boardwalk through a hardwood hammock forest. Ms. Marty, our host, taught us about all the plants and how the Seminole would use them. Midway we visited a small village nestled on a hammock clearing and
Kareem being grateful that he did not have to live in Chickee Huts.
interacted with a few of the
Seminole families who live on the reservation. They taught us about their crafts and later we would try to make our own bead bracelets like them. Before leaving the village Ustadh Rehan gave them a copy of Imam al Haddad’s, The Book of Assistance. It was a way of giving back and saying thank you. (We may post a video on that later;)
In the end, like everything we do as students of knowledge at Sanad Prep, this trip had purpose. We learned to be grateful for our opportunity in this country and as students of knowledge at Sanad Prep. As American Muslims, we are indebted to the history and culture of Native Americans and continue to benefit from their sacrifice today.
We’re looking to add more students to the SP tribe next year. If you’re smart and know the major keys to success (and are in grades 1-12), ask your parents to learn more about our amazing center and join us next year!
– Students of Sanad Prep
Post Script…
Oh, remember we said the rides are often some of the most memorable parts of our trips at Sanad Prep. Well, on the way back, an interesting thing happened. One of the car’s windows was rolled down and three intimidating, giant bees flew in causing terror! Everyone was frightened but fortunately, we all were saved by Saim that one kid who risked his own life to save others. (We might post a crazy video on that later too.)
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