 Every November, National Native American Heritage Month is commemorated. It is a moment to honor the customs, dialects, and narratives of Indigenous American, Alaskan Native, Hawaiian Native, and related Island populations, and to guarantee that their diverse pasts and impacts endure for future generations. This November, and every month, we honor the culture and heritage of these extraordinary Americans who greatly enhance the essence and nature of our country. We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation.
Created in partnership with Native veterans from tribal communities in Montana and funded through a grant from the Administration for Native Americans, these lessons use inquiry-based instructional approaches and align with Montana’s 7 Essential Understandings. Educators will gain access to primary sources that can be used to center Native voices and stories in the classroom while meeting Montana’s Indian Education for All (IEFA) mandate. The webinar for accessing these materials has passed, but you can still gain access to the resources and webinar by emailing Helen Thomas (HThomas@niea.org) or Dr. Casie Wise (cwise@niea.org) at the National Indian Education Association.
Teaching Indigenous perspectives on Thanksgiving is crucial for developing a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of American history. By including Indigenous viewpoints, we can foster a more nuanced appreciation of the holiday's origins and its place in American culture. It's important to recognize that the modern Thanksgiving holiday, established as a national observance in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln, was indeed intended to unite a country divided by the Civil War. But over the years the holiday morphed into an almost mythological event and in classrooms across the country well intentioned teachers would often perpetuate inaccurate and stereotypical information such as having students dress up as Indians and pilgrims as part of a classroom activity.
As educators it is important that we present a more accurate and inclusive history of our country, and this includes deconstructing the myth surrounding the “first” Thanksgiving in 1621. By teaching a more inclusive history, we can honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples, promote cultural understanding, and encourage critical thinking about the narratives we inherit. This approach doesn't aim to eliminate Thanksgiving celebrations, but rather to infuse them with greater historical awareness and cultural sensitivity.
Here are some links to great resources that can aid in this infusion:
1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving
American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving from the National Museum of the American Indian
The IEFA Unit extends a big thanks to Montana educators as you continue to implement IEFA in a culturally responsive manner.
The Montana Office of Indian Education has partnered with the National Indian Education Association to provide free access for 250 individuals* to NIEA’s first virtual, self-paced professional learning series: Community-based Education (CBE) through a Native Lens. This series, created in partnership with the University of Phoenix, allows learners to grow their understanding of the history of Native education and the impact of culturally-grounded instruction through 4 courses: Foundations of Native Education, Community-Based Education, CBE Instructional Approaches, and Foundations in Virtual Teaching.
This series also allows learners to gain substantial seat hours toward licensure renewal in most states. This course contains multiple modules that include Knowledge Checks and summative scenario-based assessments. This course does not require learners to submit assignments.
Free access to the course series for 250 Montana educators is funded by a grant through the Administration for Native Americans (ANA).
Register Here: Montana Professional Learning Series - National Indian Education Association (NIEA) (site-ym.com) [niea.site-ym.com]
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Recent collaboration between the School Administrators of Montana and the Indian Education for All (IEFA) unit at the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) represents a positive step towards more comprehensive and culturally responsive education in the state. This partnership aims to enhance the implementation of IEFA across Montana's schools by focusing on desired collaborative professional development opportunities. The relationship is characterized by open communication and shared goals, with both parties recognizing the importance of building capacity for IEFA in schools. SAM brings valuable insights into the practical challenges and opportunities within their specific contexts, while the IEFA unit provides expertise on Indigenous perspectives and educational resources. Together, we are working to create tailored professional development programs that equip administrators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to effectively integrate IEFA into their school curricula and culture. This collaborative approach ensures that the training is both relevant to administrators' needs and aligned with the core principles of IEFA. By fostering this positive working relationship, Montana is taking significant strides towards creating a more inclusive educational environment that honors Indigenous histories, cultures, and contributions. This partnership serves as a model for how educational institutions can work together to promote cultural understanding and equity in education. If you have any requests for specific professional development please reach out to SAM's Executive Director Rob Watson (samrw@sammt.org) or IEFA Director Christopher Morigeau (christopher.morigeau@mt.gov).
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 The IEFA Unit assisted Tony Biesiot (Darby School District Superintendent) and Gwen Couture (Ronan School District Native American Studies Teacher) coordinate a Powwow Dance and Song exhibition for the entire district and Trapper Creek Job Corp students on Indian Heritage Day. Students from Mission Valley schools and a drum group presented a vibrant exhibition, offering a unique cultural experience to students in Darby, the ancestral homelands of the Bitterroot Salish. The event showcased the rich heritage of Indigenous dance and music, with students sharing the meanings and origins behind regalia, dance styles, and traditional songs. The immersive experience aimed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for Indigenous culture within the Darby School District and the broader community. Superintendent Biesiot followed the event with a bison stew and frybread lunch for all attendees. Shout out to IEFA Specialist Julie Jeffers for making the trek to Darby to help support Tony and Gwen in this endeavor. And thank you Tony and Gwen for your continued dedication of fulfilling Montana's Indian Education for All mandate!
Additionally, OPI’s IEFA Unit hosted the Indigenous Films Bring Them Home and The Trials Before Us for students at Helena High School. All Freshmen students from World Studies and AP Human Geography Classes, along with Journalism, Tech Theater, Theater 1, 2, 3, and 4 were able to attend the sessions. HHS held the event in their Little Theater and provided students with popcorn to make it a theater experience. Shout out to IEFA Specialists Mike Jetty and Jennifer Stadum on helping make this event and the previous evening's event at the Myrna Loy such a big success.
Join us for an engaging book study of "Thunderous," a powerful narrative that explores themes of resilience, identity, and community. This immersive experience will not only delve into the story's rich characters and settings but also examine its cultural significance. Participants will gain insights into how literature can reflect diverse perspectives and foster empathy. Together, we will develop lesson plans that emphasize cultural responsiveness, ensuring that all voices are heard and celebrated in our classrooms. Let's inspire our students to connect with the world through the lens of "Thunderous." Look out for "Thunderous" Book Study sign-ups on the IEFA website and at MFPE.
Agenda:
November 6th, 2024 – April Willis
Book discussion and your lesson plan you built on the book.
November 13th, 2024 – Mandy Smoker Broaddus
Cultural Responsiveness
November 20th, 2024 – Jacie Jeffers
Building a lesson plan from a book
- No registration required
- Earn 1 professional development renewal unit
- 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
IEFA Energize Webinars
1st Tuesday of each month
Join OPI's IEFA staff on the 1st Tuesday of every month to hear important announcements; dive into model lessons; learn about new resources, play games, earn prizes, and more!
IEFA Across the Content
3rd Tuesday of each month
Indian Education for All implementation strategies provided by K-12 educators both on and off-reservation. Content areas covered: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health Enhancement, FCCS, CTE, Music, and Art. These webinars are recorded and available to watch on our IEFA YouTube channel, too!
YouTube Channel
Are you looking for engaging and informative resources to improve your IEFA background knowledge and improve your teaching? Check out our YouTube Channel for engaging IEFA content and a wealth of classroom materials to deepen understanding and enhance your teaching.
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HOW TO - IEFA PAYMENT: REPORTING GUIDE
If you have any questions, please reach out to one of the IEFA team members. Contact information can be found here.
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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