On the Road Again
The month of October started off strong within the TSARR Unit! Alicia Doney (Tribal Youth Coordinator) traveled to Helena for the High School Forum where students from Arlee High School, Project for Alternative Learning, Helena High School, and Capital High all came together and sat on a youth panel regarding student/ teacher relationships and connections! The youth did phenomenal voicing their thoughts and opinions. It was also amazing hearing what schools are already doing to connect the youth/ teachers together!
From there, Alicia Doney traveled to Big Sky High School in Missoula where they hosted the RISE Youth Leadership meeting! We had such an amazing turn out at this meeting. We also had new schools join such as Harlem High School and Seeley Swan High School! We had about 12 schools join in on this meeting and they rocked it! The RISE leaders all came together and talked about what it means to be a strong warrior from a youth perspective. Some kids said being a warrior is “getting the 4 coups, being strong and resilient, to have pride in the generation you come from, representing and giving to others instead of taking.” The youth have such a powerful view on what a strong warrior mindset looks like to them! I’m excited to see them take on initiatives throughout the year with that warrior mindset on the forefront!
Language and Culture
Hinhanna wašte! In Nakoda, some refer to December as Wicogandu-sungagu (Center Moon’s Young Brother). In Blackfeet, some might say, isstááato's (Cold Month).
We are thankful for our education advocates across the state, including Kevin Kicking Woman, Carolyn Rusche, and Velma Pretty On Top for their guidance and input on the World Language Standards revision process. We also thank Stephanie Swigart and her team for doing a lot of behind the scenes work to help with the standards update.
We are also continuing to consult with tribal education leaders on resource and curriculum development. As we continue to make connections, we are here to assist with other educators who are interested in more direct connections with indigenous educators.
Through consultation, we also recently presented tribal resolutions regarding Class 7 language and culture certification along with Mina Seminole from Northern Cheyenne and Loretta Three Irons from Crow to the Board of Public Education for their approval.
We have more IEFA language and culture opportunities via webinar in the near future for all to attend. We will also be helping to plan some feature presentations for the next IEFA conference in a few months. Stay tuned!
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