IEFA Grants Available For 2022-23 School Year
The Indian Education for All Unit will be offering grant awards to districts that would like to compensate their staff for completing IEFA PD modules or facilitate an exchange program between Native and Non-Native schools and students. Exchanges between schools on different reservations will be considered as well. The PD modules would be specific to the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians or the IEFA Implementation Framework hub course. Grant awards would be determined based on the size of the school district and the estimated number of staff participating. Districts would also be required to provide some IEFA ANB funds for match. Interested schools and districts should contact Jennifer Stadum or Zach Hawkins in the OPI IEFA office.
Jennifer Stadum: jstadum@mt.gov or 444-0725
Zach Hawkins: zachariah.hawkins@mt.gov or 444-0708
November Is Native American Heritage Month
November 2022 is National Native American Heritage Month. This offers a great opportunity to explore the heritage, culture, and experience of Indigenous peoples both historically and in American life today.
The OPI IEFA unit website offers tips, ideas, and suggestions for celebrating NA heritage month with your students and your community. Additionally, we have lessons for the Veteran's Day holiday and some resources for teaching about American Indians in the military. We have a lesson that provides a thoughtful analysis of the Thanksgiving Day holiday as well.
For further information, you can contact Mike Jetty or Zach Hawkins at the contacts listed below.
Mike Jetty mjetty@mt.gov (406) 444-0720
Zach Hawkins zachariah.hawkins@mt.gov (406) 444-0708
Film Offering Through The Big Sky Film Institute
In partnership with the Big Sky Film Institutes Native Filmmakers Institute, the OPI IEFA unit is promoting an upcoming film that schools and teachers can sign up to view and participate in a debrief and discussion with the filmmaker and an IEFA expert.
November's film, THE TRAILS BEFORE US, a film following 17-year-old Nigel James, a Diné mountain biker as he hosts the first Enduro race in the Navajo Nation. Through revitalizing old sheep and livestock trails on his grandparents’ land, Nigel and a new generation of riders honor the connection to their land, community, and culture.
This film will be offered at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9th. Registration information can be found here.
For further information, contact Mike Jetty at mjetty@mt.gov or (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, Relay Service: 711.
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