DIXFIELD – Dirigo students gave warm and enthusiastic receptions to speakers at their first Diversity and Tolerance Day.

Principal Dan Hart encouraged students to think about the purpose of the day in his opening remarks.

“The world is coming to us today. Let’s celebrate diversity,” he said.

English teacher and Dirigo track coach Charlie Maddaus introduced his friend American Indian Jesse Red Horse from the Black Feet Tribe. He resides in Mount Washington valley.

Red Horse, who is part Irish, said when he was growing up he claimed the Irish side of his heritage and had no problems in school. His siblings claimed their native American heritage and found all kinds of difficulties.

“Regardless of what part of the globe you come from, we are all in the same family,” he said. He played a song on a traditional flute that has been part of the American Indian musical culture for more than 2000 years. He played a doleful song, “All one Nation” for the students. His CDs of Wind Dancer music have won many awards.

“The best way to overcome intolerance is to become informed,” he said. “We native Americans used to celebrate differences. Now we celebrate similarities. Sitting down to a meal with someone you don’t know is the best way to get to know one another. We are becoming little islands in a sea of humanity,” he continued. “Try to learn about your neighbors.”

Red Horse said American Indians have great respect for their elders, and the culture is based on “just good manners.”

A Respect Team from Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris held sessions explaining what their school has done to cut down on violence. It has planned after-school programs to give students not involved in sports something to do. The team encourages tolerance, models responsibility, celebrates diversity and fosters respect.

David Saphier, a public accountant, who is Jewish, held a session on tolerance of religion by learning about various beliefs.

“If you see someone who needs help, see what you can do to make their life better,” he said. “All of us have a common need.”

Another speaker was Don Coverdale, an African American who is a guidance counselor at East Boston High School. Coverdale grew up in the Bronx section of New York City and learned about prejudice when he went to college in the South.

However, he continued to learn about it when he moved to Bethel and tried to buy a house in the 70s. Now he is a ski instructor at Sunday River and is also the minister at Sunday River to a mostly white congregation.

“Education provides you with a history of the struggles of different peoples. You need to know who you are before you can know where you are going in life,” he said.

Students participated in a hands-on activity led by Jeff Parson, a consultant in teamwork from Bethel.

“It’s not the difference in people but how you react once you notice that difference. Thus your behavior becomes the key that makes you either tolerant or nontolerant,” said Helen Ndegwa of Kenya.

The day’s focus was to respect peoples of all religions, cultures, races and genders.

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