Submitted by Libby Smith, a Phi Theta Kappa student at STCC
Hello, my name is Libby Smith, and I have returned to college after earning a bachelor’s degree nearly 20 years ago. I truly love STCC for its rich programs and exceptional student support services. I’ve spent much of my working life in jobs that didn’t genuinely enrich people’s lives, so I decided it was time to make a change. I have a unique gift for empathy and feel drawn to the healthcare field. I’ve applied to the Radiologic Technology program, which I hope to begin soon. I am proud to have been accepted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at STCC, and I look forward to participating in many community outreach events during my education and beyond.
Did you know that November is Native American Heritage Month? Recently, dozens of community members and PTK students gathered at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls for an afternoon of storytelling led by an elder of the local Abenaki tribe. The event began with a heartfelt land acknowledgment, honoring those who have cared for the land for generations. This set a tone of deep gratitude and responsibility.
We were welcomed by David Brule, president of the Nolumbeka Project, an organization dedicated to preserving Native American wisdom, rights, and culture—especially that of the Abenaki, Nipmuck, Narragansett, and Wampanoag tribes. Elder Willow Greene then shared her wisdom through stories touching on environmental conservation, geology, wildlife, and even the creation of the night sky.
One particularly memorable tale was the story of Gluskabe and the Wind. Gluskabe, a legendary figure in Abenaki mythology, noticed that the days were stifling hot and still. Curious about the missing wind, he asked Grandmother Woodchuck how the wind was created and why it had stopped. She explained that the Eagle, who creates the wind, was upset and had left its perch on the mountaintop. Without the Eagle in place, the wind no longer blew across the land. Realizing the problem, Gluskabe climbed the mountain and persuaded the Eagle to return to its rightful place. As soon as the Eagle settled back atop the peak, the wind returned, bringing balance and relief to the forests, rivers, and people below.
This powerful story illustrates the interconnectedness of nature: every being has a role, and disturbing the balance affects the entire system.
I realized that this was more than storytelling—it was a call to embody these values, to consider the long-term impact of our choices, and to engage with the natural world with gratitude and care. Sustainability is not just a practice; it is a way of seeing and honoring the interconnectedness of all life.
