Oki. We have had a busy schedule and will continue to as our team pushes forward and finds its way in braiding our indigenous worldview into the education of our students. Consultation from our Tribal Nations and our Knowledge Keepers provides a pivot point that has been absent in much of our work with districts and the state. As we adapt for inclusion, we will work hard to do it the best we can.
Our team has been invited by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to connect through consultation at a gathering in Polson on November 3rd and 4th. This is the first full TRR team gathering where we will work with the education departments, youth leadership initiatives, language and cultural connections, and holistic wellness and health for our youth and adults.
Donnie Wetzel, Jr. and Matt Bell were able to attend NIEA and the Language Summit held in Oklahoma City. Many connections were made and sharing of positive work across the Nation. Mr. Wetzel has been invited to share culture, youth, and knowledge keeper work with the Directors in leadership for the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education. They will be meeting to discuss and unify Indian Education efforts and policies within federal, state, and tribal levels to better the lives of our American Indian Youth.
Language and Culture
We hope you are all enjoying the transition in seasons. Remember to consider your wildlife friends and relatives when deciding what to do with your leftover pumpkins and “gifted” squash 😊 Our team is making connections and setting others up for success. We will be meeting with education stakeholders from Salish-Kootenai country to discuss strategic visions with youth through elders.
We will be providing Zoom meetings to discuss a book on Second Language Acquisition and ways to think about Multi-Lingual Learners. Please feel free to join our group. Email for details.
As we start making travel plans for the holiday season, I challenge readers to find the etymology of the place name they may be going to (or have been to). The prevalence and breadth of the Algonquian, Salish and Siouan languages have historically informed many place names in our country. There are many learning opportunities to be found within the dissection of place names (Who was there? What stories have taken place there? What is this place known for flora and fauna?)
Pinamaya everyone.
Matt Bell
Youth Leadership
This month has included youth professional opportunities as well as events for leadership development. Our RISE meetings have had a great start. RISE helps youth connect with each other, make state and community initiatives and it helps the youth learn about their heritage, and develop positive self-identity. We meet every other Thursday at 2 pm. Our next meeting will be on October 27th with the theme “Stories of the Season” where Blackfoot Knowledge Keeper, Leonard Bastien Weasel Traveller and Nakota Knowledge Keeper, Renita Longknife, will be sharing stories of the fall.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Consultation gathering in Polson is scheduled for November 3-4. We will be going over the RISE virtual youth group and will help the Flathead Youth bring back FYI (Flathead Youth Initiative) in their community by bringing community service opportunities and positive change.
In Great Falls, we will be facilitating a youth panel at the High School Forum in which youth will have the opportunity to share their experiences in the classroom and what they would like to see change. The forum will be on November 15th in Great Falls.
Students from Hays Lodge Pole and Browning are planning a student exchange. The Hays-Lodge Pole youth are interested in doing a student exchange with Browning Public Schools. This will allow the students to connect and learn from each other, share their cultures, and form relationships. This will help each school learn from each other and focus on a more culturally involved direction for their students.
In October, Anna Marsicano joined the Tribal Relations and Resiliency Youth team as the AmeriCorps Planning Grant Coordinator. Anna will be working to develop service opportunities for youth exiting high school focused around developing purpose, positive self-identity, and connection to knowledge keepers in the community.
Those who are interested in learning more about our work, RISE, leadership opportunities, or various events contact Alicia Doney, Tribal Youth Coordinator at alicia.doney@mt.gov and/or Anna Marsicano, AmeriCorps Planning Grant Coordinator at anna.marsicano@mt.gov.
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, Relay Service: 711.
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