Indian taco madness

Last week Ratihén:te High School continued a long-standing tradition while drawing community support as volunteers, staff, and students came together to raise funds for its graduating class by selling Indian tacos.

The April 2 fundraiser sold somewhere between 250-300 tacos, raising approximately $4,900, the largest amount ever raised in an Indian taco fundraiser held by the high school.

Proceeds will help fund the graduation events for the school’s six seniors.

“It’s always one of the fundraisers in the community that really works,” said Lizane Montreuil, teacher and organizer at the high school. She said the event has been a staple fundraiser since before she started working there nine years ago.

“It’s a lot of work to do, so it’s not an easy fundraiser, but it does attract a lot of people,” said Montreuil.

The high school hopes to raise about $20,000 to cover the expenses of the prom and potentially a camping trip for the seniors. The prom alone is expected to cost roughly $17,000, including a sugar shack venue, transportation in a limo, a red carpet, a DJ, and decorations.

“They have big goals this year,” said Montreuil.

Unlike larger schools, the celebration at Ratihén:te is designed as a family-centered event, with roughly 100 family and friends expected.

The aim of the fundraiser is to offset the cost of graduation celebrations for the high school’s six seniors and their families. The Indian taco fundraiser plays a major role in reaching that target.

The meal was $20 ($15 for students) and featured fry bread topped with chili, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream, as well as cake and a beverage.

Preparations for the fundraiser involved a broad network of support. Kitchen staff at the  Rotiwennakéhte Elementary School prepped the dough in advance, while high school staff and volunteers handled cooking, service, and delivery. Parents also contributed by making large batches of chili.

The seniors themselves played a key role in the operations, taking responsibilities such as assembling orders, managing cash, and organizing deliveries.

“We were so impressed with them,” said Ratihén:te principal Kimberly Simon, who explained that two of the seniors rose to the occasion. “They stayed until the end, took charge in the kitchen, and never complained.”

The day was not without challenges. On the morning of the fundraiser, the fan in the high school’s kitchen malfunctioned and had to be fixed. The phone that was taking orders during school hours had to be switched for the dinner rush, resulting in a short period of time where orders were coming from two different phones.

Both Montreuil and Simon admitted that they didn’t have time during the day for a break.

After being in charge of frying over 250 frybread, Simon left smelling like oil, and Montreuil had sliced her finger prepping vegetables the day before.

“When it’s for food, people are always happy!” said coach Jeffrey Nelson, who helped with deliveries. “I know everyone on the reservation, so it was smooth.”

Community volunteers were one reason the fundraiser was so successful.

“Everyone had a role, and it was clear they were working as a team,” said volunteer Lynn Cataford Gabriel. “Even during the rush periods, they kept a positive attitude and remained focused on their shared goals.”

The high school is about halfway to its goal of $20,000 and has more fundraisers on the horizon.

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Fern Marmont, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter