In 1997, the Montana Legislature passed into law MCA 20-1-306, designating the fourth Friday in September as American Indian Heritage Day. Under this law, schools are to conduct “appropriate exercises during the school day.” In 2009, the last Friday in September was established as, American Indian Heritage Day for the state of Montana for all Montanans to “(1) reflect on American Indian culture and heritage; and (2) celebrate American Indians and their culture and heritage in all lawful ways.”
Activities that celebrate American Indian Heritage Day can create sustained interest in learning about the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians, setting the tone and creating connections for a year of integrating Indian Education for All.
Spark interest with these suggested activities…
- Display information about Montana tribes – tribally specific posters, maps, and books. Highlight the new Making Montana Proud Poster series.
- View IEFA online video resources that highlight Art, Music, Poetry, and History.
- Highlight Montana tribal histories.
- Learn the names of all Montana reservations, tribes that live on them and languages spoken there. Research the names the tribes have for themselves, which often differ from English translations. Visit Montanatribes.org to hear the names.
- Explore nearby Montana Indian cultural and historical sites and community museums.
- Invite cultural resource experts from Montana’s tribal nations to visit.
- Display OPI Indian Education for All curriculum materials sent to school libraries.
Create an exhibit of samples of your school’s past IEFA classroom work, aligned with the Essential Understandings. Include student work from any content area – (photos of special projects, essays, poetry, primary source documents studied, school trips, special guests, etc.)
Through the study of Montana Indian cultures and peoples, all students become more self-aware of their own cultures and develop a reference point to support greater understanding of others.
Visit our updated Indian Education homepage to access model lessons and resources for various content areas and grade levels. Check back often for upcoming events, conferences, and new curriculum resources.
Indian Education Division Contacts:
Zach Hawkins, Indian Education for All Unit Director, 444-0708
Joan Franke, Administrative Assistant, 406-444-3694
Jennifer Stadum, Indian Education Specialist, 406-444-0725
Stephen Morsette, Indian Education Specialist, 406-444-0754
Mike Jetty, Indian Education Specialist, 406-444-0720
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, TTY 406-444-0235.
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