Youth Leadership
This past month has been amazing within the TSARR unit. Alicia Doney (Tribal Youth Coordinator) has started the virtual youth leadership group RISE for the upcoming school year. We had Hardin High School youth host the second RISE meeting and the youth invited Knowledge Keeper Dale Old Horn to talk about the importance of being a strong Tribal Leader. The youth loved it and while he was telling these stories they enjoyed Halloween cookies, drinks and loved that they learned from their own tribal people. We had about five schools join the RISE meeting and it was interesting to see many different perspectives and comparisons between what a strong tribal leader is to the youth.
Next Alicia Doney partnered with Christy Hendricks and Serena Wright from the Federal Programs team to help create a Youth Voice Panel that was presented at their COP Fall Conference at the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch on Monday October 9th. We had the tribal youth voice from Billings Senior, West, and Skyview talk about their thoughts and experiences around school mental health, trauma, foster care, homelessness and group homes. The panel hit on issues and solutions that created a safe environment for the youth to really express themselves and connect with each other and other programs throughout the state! If anyone is interested in joining or work with schools that may benefit from our RISE Youth Leadership group, please contact Alicia Doney (Tribal Youth Coordinator) at Alicia.Doney@mt.gov
Language and Culture
We welcome Cuhotgawi,or Frost Moon, in Nakoda. In Pikuni, litáó'tsstoyii, or When Cold Weather Arrives. Many tribes have beliefs about appropriate times of the year to share stories and the first snow fall being one of them. We hope you reach out to your local Tribal Colleges or Tribal Education experts about localized stories of the indigenous people in your area, including the star stories!
Our team has been hitting the road to meet with tribes, local districts and educators. We are building bridges and offering guidance for consultation regarding language and culture offerings to our students, especially those impacted through various Title fundings. We’ve also been building our youth engagement, whole child understandings, and technical assistance outreach.
Our tribes have been engaging in language building from within and are building great opportunities for new language learners across the state. We’re here to assist them and any other learners wishing to add to their material base.
This season offers many chances to learn about the indigenous connection to chocolate, pumpkins, mint and other warming foods native to this continent! Enjoy!
Pinamaya to all educators!
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.
|
