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The Oceti Sakowin Community School just graduated its first class in Rapid City, S.D. The private school teaches Lakota history, culture, and language in a state that tribes and others say is watering down instruction about Native history and issues. In some other places, tribes are working collaboratively with public education officials to make sure Native issues are adequately represented.

GUESTS

Mary Bowman (Standing Rock Sioux), founder and head of Oceti Sakowin Community Academy

Samantha Cholewa Tondreau (Mohegan), Director of Curriculum and Instruction for The Mohegan Tribe

Darlene Kascak (Schaghticoke), education director at The Institute For American Indian Studies and a traditional storyteller

Break 1 music: Narbona (song) The Delbert Anderson Trio (artist) MANITOU (album)

Break 2 music: Our Stories (Song) Qacung (Artist) Miu (Album)

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A survey in 2019 backed by the National Congress of American Indians concluded that the lack of access to adequate funding, equitable curricula, and professional development hinders suitable Native American lessons in schools. The good news is many states since then have recognized those barriers and are making strides to introduce Native-led curricula into schools. The state of Minnesota, for instance, is committing an extra $1.3 million for recruiting and training Native teachers, bringing in more input from Native educators and connecting better with Native students.

Guests:

Crystal Redgrave (Assiniboine) – education consultant specializing in Native American curricula

Apryl Deel-McKenzie (Diné) – program manager at the Native Governance Center

 

Special thanks to Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for her contribution on today’s program. Here is her complete audio response:

 

Break 1 Music: In Beauty (The Remix) (song) Primeaux & Mike (artist) Road to Peace (album)

Break 2 music: Porcupine Singers’ Song (song) Porcupine Singers (artist) Alowanpi – Songs Of Honoring – Lakota Classics: Past & Present, Vol. 1 (album)

 

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Pueblo educators have just updated a K-12 curriculum and teacher training regimen for New Mexico schools designed from a Native viewpoint. It offers guidance on Pueblo history and culture with a basis in Pueblo core values including respect, compassion, balance and service. The original idea stemmed from the state’s celebration of 100 years of statehood, which also didn’t fully incorporate Pueblo historical contributions and wisdom.

Guests:

Shannon Romero (Cochiti, Santo Domingo and Navajo) – cultural education specialist with the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque

Treva Riley (Laguna and Acoma Pueblos) – physical education teacher and coach

 

Break 1 music: Wim Ah I Wem, Tiwa (single) Gregg Analla (artist)

Break 2 music: Eagle Blessing (song) Swinomish Canoe Family (artist)

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So many school students and members of the public are subjected to myths and misinformation about the tribes in what is now New York. For so long, Native history is presented from a European perspective. Three separate exhibitions are currently offering Native-informed perspectives on the current and historical role tribes play in the region. Native New York at the Native American Museum of the American Indian New York takes visitors to 12 present-day New York City destinations that have ties to the Haudenosaunee, Lenape, Delaware, Mohican and other tribes. It includes a lesson for 4th and 5th graders that teachers can access for accurate and respectful classroom lessons and offers a Native-informed model for the state’s social studies standards.

Guests:

Peter Jemison (Seneca Nation of Indians, heron clan) – historic site manager at Ganondagan State Historic Site

Michael Sheyashe (Caddo) – founder and technologist at alterNative Media

Curtis Zunigha  (enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians) – co-director of The Lenape Center

Johanna Gorelick – manager for NMAI Education Department

 

Break 1 music: Singing Together (song) Drumming Hill Singers (song) Memories (album)

Break 2 music: Victory Song (song) All Lead Singers Home Of The Champions (artist) Home Of The Champions (album)