Norwich — Uncas School and the Mohegan tribe cemented their long relationship with gifts of friendship, songs, speeches and a poem Friday in the annual Gathering of Hearts and Minds school assembly with tribal leaders.

The school, named for the famous Mohegan Sachem Uncas, holds the annual ceremony to promote its close ties with the tribe. The school song for the past two decades, "Go My Son," describes a Native American father giving advice to his son, urging him to grow strong and become educated. Fourth-grader Takeema Cook, whose family has Native American roots, read an essay she wrote about Sachem Uncas and how he worked hard to take care of his tribe.

"Here at Uncas School, we care about each other," she read. "We are a family."

“It is always my honor to be here,” Mohegan Chief Lynn Malerba said. “We have such a special relationship and such a special friendship.”

Uncas Principal Peter Camp and teacher Beth Hanlon, student services specialist, presented Malerba with a brass weathervane depicting a howling wolf — the symbol of the Mohegan tribe and the Uncas School mascot.

In turn, Malerba presented the school with a large round gourd carved by a tribal artisan with the image of a wolf.

And School Superintendent Abby Dolliver gave to both the school and the tribe copies of the children's book “Big Wolf and Little Wolf.” Malerba said she would place the book in the children's library at the tribe's government building for use in after-school and summer reading programs.

“Our little wolves are so proud to have our big wolves here today,” Dolliver said.

She said she didn't have time to read the book aloud at Friday's gathering, but said its theme fit the occasion: “It's about friendship, boldness and love.”

c.bessette@theday.com