Happy New Year from the Office of Indian Education!
As we enter this holiday season of giving and receiving, the Office of Indian Education has a gift for you. We are honored to share the “Heart & Spirit of Tribal Consultation” video set. This set of 10 videos includes an opening video and nine individualized videos by which each Tribe shares, in their own words, what tribal consultation and sovereignty means to them. In my role with ODE, I often am asked “What is effective Tribal Consultation when working with Tribes?”. Although I can provide some guidance, having a Tribe share their perspectives and expectations on this complex, yet vital topic, is such a wonderful gift.
In Oregon, Tribal Consultation is a legal requirement, and it is a process to engage each Tribe in meaningful conversations and dialogues. I encourage us all to embrace consultation, not only as a requirement, but as an opportunity to improve the lives and communities for all whom call Oregon their home. We want to express our gratitude to the Tribes for their valuable guidance and insight to what Tribal Consultation looks like, feels like, and sounds like. A special thank you to Region 16 Comprehensive Center for funding this project!
As you enjoy viewing this gift, we encourage you to put into practice ideas and strategies shared in these videos to either begin building or strengthen Tribal Consultation efforts.
- April Campbell, Assistant Superintendent
Heart and Spirit of Tribal Consultation Video Series: Heart & Spirit of Tribal Consultation
Curriculum Update - We are on the verge of completing new Tribal History/Shared History for grade 9! Please continue to check for updates. In the meantime, we encourage you to participate in our online professional development modules which may be accessed on our TH/SH Webpage.
Uplifting Exemplars Around the State - Each month, we will be highlighting a school district that exemplifies TH/SH lesson plan implementation. For the month of January, we are recognizing the Beaverton School District.
This highlight was provided by Jen Anderson, Beaverton TH/SH Tosa. Year one of our rollout was the 2021-22 school year. For this process the TH/SH TOSA position was created. This position supports school building representatives and collaborates with content area TOSAs to embed TH/SH lessons within the district provided resources. The TH/SH TOSA creates slide decks covering the educator modules provided by ODE. Our staff intranet was updated with all ODE resources as well as any district specific resources. Building representatives are selected by school administrators and they are tasked with providing professional development to teachers at their individual schools. School representatives attend a training session with the TH/SH TOSA, where they participate in the lesson that is aimed at facilitation. The school representative position is provided with extended contract hours or sub release for plan time. Our initial plan was to complete two modules per year. After year one feedback, the pacing was slowed to allow for more processing time and collaboration with grade level teams in applying the newly covered essential understanding to embedded lessons. The other change was to provide this PD as a large group, rather than having staff complete the modules individually. Our current pacing covers one module, two essential understandings, per school year. These can be scheduled during one professional development day or broken up over a series of staff meetings. The goal is to plan for three hours of TH/SH PD per school year, this includes time for teachers to plan and review lessons with their grade level teams. At this pace all teachers that have been in our district since the 21-22 school year should complete module 5 by the end of the 25-26 school year.
Additionally the TH/SH TOSA is available for continued collaboration with content TOSAs as well as for individual teacher consults. This position works closely with our Title VI facilitator in planning cultural events and visiting program students and supporting their teachers. New this year will be the creation of grade level cohorts in 4th, 8th, and 10th grade. These cohorts will give teachers from different schools an opportunity to collaborate with one another while having the TH/SH TOSA and other content TOSAs there to answer questions. As we are nearing the end of our module PD, review modules are being developed to catch up any new staff and for current staff to revisit the material. In order to ensure that lessons are being taught we are also working to develop a system which will allow teachers to easily record the completion of the ODE lessons, so that the TH/SH TOSA or content TOSA’s can view the assessment from those units or lessons.
NEW Community of Practice - We have created a TH/SH Community of Practice. Meetings will be held virtually each month and will provide a platform for educators to share best practices when delivering the TH/SH lesson plans. This will be a great resource for educators to share experiences. These meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of the month with the next meeting date on January 8th at 3:00 PM. The zoom link can be accessed by all educators, curriculum developers, and administrators.
Topic: THSH Community of Practice
Time: Jan 8th, 2025 03:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join ZoomGov Meeting
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1610562171
Meeting ID: 161 056 2171
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I love Salmon and Lampreys: A Native story of Resilience by Brook M. Thompson
Growing up in the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, Brook Thompson learned to care for the fish that nurtured her and her family. She knew that along the Klamath River in Northern California, salmon and lampreys are a needed part of life. But she also saw how these fish were in danger. People had built dams along the Klamath River, making it very hard for salmon and lampreys to live. Tribal people and their friends organized to have four of the dams removed, and they won. In I Love Salmon and Lampreys, Thompson tells this inspiring tale, and she shares how it motivated her to become a scientist. Featuring adorable illustrations by Anastasia Khmelevska, as well as fun facts about salmon and lampreys, this is a stirring story about stewarding nature for the generations to come. To view or buy this book please visit: HeyDay Books
More about the Author from Underscore Native News:
For the first-time author, Brook M. Thompson, the Klamath River “feels like home.”
Its presence in her life and the Klamath Dam removal inspired her to write a children’s book ‘I Love Salmon and Lampreys: A Native Story of Resilience’ where the younger generation can be part of the conversation.
“For me it was a way I could explain to my younger cousins, what this dam removal was like, how it came to be and just thought this was a really big deal for our tribes and we should be proud of it,” Thompson, Yurok and Karuk Tribes, said.
Thompson distinctly remembers when over 34,000 fish, mostly Chinook salmon, died in the Klamath River in September 2002. It was the largest recorded salmon fish kill in U.S. history.
One of the factors that was suspected to have contributed to the disaster was the low flow from Iron Gate Dam, located in northern California. It was one of the three dams that was removed this year.
“Being told that this was never going to happen and dam removal was impossible, that it was ridiculous to ask for four dams to be removed versus for just asking for one was too much and it actually happening and it being taken down is better to me, that’s better than any fiction I could imagine,” Thompson said. To read more please visit: The Klamath River through a child's eyes
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Oregon State Parks: JANUARY 1st. Bundle up and ring in the new year with some fresh air and gorgeous scenery. Oregon State Parks is hosting its annual First Day Hikes, with rangers leading guided hikes at nearly two dozen state parks. These are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Check posted details on accessibility, pets and winter conditions for the best experience, and pack your winter hiking essentials. To view the schedule for each state park please visit: First Hikes 2025
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Silverton, OR: January 3rd 6:00 - 9:00 pm. A chance to experience Silverton and all it has to offer - the first Friday of each month. Gallery owners offer new installations, restaurants showcase their best offerings and retail shops stay open late to allow shoppers time to browse in a social environment. Contact the chamber to find out what's happening new each month. For more information please visit: Silverton First Friday
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Central, OR: January 11th 9:00 - 1:00pm Annual 5k/10k Run hosted by St. Thomas Academy. This is a timed race for participants. The course for both the 5k and 10k starts and ends at St. Thomas Academy (corner of 19th St & Maple Ave) in Redmond, OR. There will be food and FUN to be had for all ages! Fore more information please visit: Polar Bear Run
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Portland, OR: Sunday Jan 12th 10:00 am - 2:30 pm. O-Shogatsu is a time of celebration for the start of a new year and hopes for happiness and prosperity to come. Portland Japanese Garden honors the most important holiday in Japan with traditional decorations and activities. The Garden will celebrate the beginning of 2025, the Year of the Snake, or hebi in Japanese, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with family-friendly activities and performances. Guests can also admire kadomatsu, or traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo, and plum branches, made by our gardeners. For more information please visit: Japanese New Year
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Ashland, OR: Monday January 20th 12:00 pm- 1:00pm The Ashland MLK Day committee is working on the program for our free, all-community event, in person at the Armory, followed by our annual march to the Plaza to hear the words of Dr. King. For more information please visit: MLK day
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Eastern, OR: January 31st 6:00pm. Pie Auction Fundraiser & Film Night - This event kicks off the festival and is a fabulous opportunity for the backcountry community to come together, enjoy a night of film, friends, fundraising, food, and beer. This event is supported by our local brewery and food vendors. A live pie auction will take place prior to the film, so grab grandma’s recipe and bake away! Doors open at 6pm; pie auction at 6:30pm; & show starts at 7pm. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 10. After mingling with friends, getting a local beer and slice of pizza, prepare yourself for the pie auction to raise funds for the WAC. Dust off the old family recipes and excite us with your phenomenal baking skills. We need pie donations galore! For more information please visit: EOU Pie Auction
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Salem, OR: November 22nd - January 4th 5:30 - 10:00pm. Magic of Lights, a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience, is bigger and brighter than ever with more than a mile of spectacular light displays that bring to life your favorite holiday scenes and characters. Don’t miss the larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas! Pile everyone into the car and experience more at the same low price! For more information please visit: Salem Magic of Lights
On New Year’s Day, Yachats, Oregon will host the 15th Annual Peace Hike, a meaningful event that honors the legacy of the indigenous peoples who endured immense suffering under government-sponsored genocidal policies during the 19th century.
The Peace Hike commemorates the tragic history of the Alsea Subagency (1860–1875), highlighting the story of Amanda, a blind Native American (Coos) woman who was forcibly separated from her daughter and marched barefoot with other captives over 80 miles of rugged terrain to the Alsea Subagency prison camp in Yachats in 1864. This annual gathering serves as a solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives and a celebration of the resilience of their descendants, many of whom participate in the event each year.
A Time for Reflection and Education
The Peace Hike invites participants to reflect on the atrocities faced by the Coos, Lower Umpqua, Siuslaw, and Alsea Peoples and to deepen their understanding of this painful history. To support learning and reflection, participants are encouraged to:
Schedule of Events
The day will be filled with ceremonies, reflections, and guided trail walks designed to honor the past and bring the community together:
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9:30 AM – The Yachats Community Drum will be available at the Yachats Commons (441 Hwy 101 N, Yachats, OR 94798), and drumming will begin.
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10:00 AM – A fire will be lit at the Commons, marking the start of the opening ceremony, which will include storytelling by Tribal members and the recounting of Amanda’s story.
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10:30 AM – Trail walks commence. Participants may choose from several trail options indicated on a map designed by the Yachats Trails Committee and available at the Commons. Those hiking to the Amanda Gathering Area (2.2 miles south of the Commons) will have parking options available for those not wishing to hike the full distance. Volunteers at the Commons will provide instructions. A ceremonial fire will be lit both at the Amanda Gathering Area and the Commons, where participants can place cedar sprigs.
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12:00 PM – A special ceremony, led by Tribal members, will take place at the Amanda Gathering Area.
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1:00 PM – Both the Amanda Gathering Area and the Commons will hold closing ceremonies. Participants are invited to place their cedar sprigs in the ceremonial fires, which will then be respectfully closed.
Water, energy bars, and cookies generously prepared by the Yachats Ladies Club will be available at both the Commons and the Amanda Gathering Area.
Additional Highlights
- All participants will receive a beautifully crafted Peace Hike button designed by artist Morgan Gaines, Quuiich (Lower Umpqua), of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.
- Committee members will be on hand at the Yachats Commons to provide guidance, maps, and answer any questions.
For More information please visit: Peace Hike 2025
Native Enterprise Cohrt by the Northwest Native Chamber
January 14th & 21st 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Native Enterprise Winter 2025: In Person Cohort in Vancouver, WA. For more information please visit: NNC 2025
Navigating Legal Structure and Compliance For Business Growth
January 22nd 12:00- 1:00pm
This is a FREE event to attend, please RSVP at: NNC SSBCI Class 4
COSA
February 11 - 12th 2025
This conference is a unique opportunity for central office administrators to come together and explore the transformative potential of collaboration. Let's celebrate the power of working together in support of public education. 48 (yes, that's right) workshops are being planned by OASBO and COSA to cover a wide range of topics. Expect workshops that both business managers and superintendents will want to attend together and sessions that cater to the specific work of central office administrators. We took collaboration to a new level to plan and coordinate a space for you to network and learn from each other. If you are an OASBO member, visit OASBO website for more information.
Seeking Future Indigenous Educators! The Sapsik'ʷałá (Teacher) Education Program is currently recruiting applicants for our next cohort, which will begin classes in the summer of 2025 at our beautiful campus at the University of Oregon. The Sapsik'ʷałá Program is a rigorous, 12-month program that prepares future Indigenous educators. Sapsik'ʷałá students earn a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Teaching in partnership with the UOTeach master’s / licensure program while gaining Indigenous methodologies for teaching. Please see our admissions checklist for details on how to apply. Applications are open and priority is given to applications submitted by January 15th.
See attachments to learn more about program provisions and hear about the student experience from our alumni. Please contact sapsikwala@uoregon.edu or by phone at (541) 346-2454 for program details!
Tribal Health Scholars (THS) is now accepting applications!
About THS:
Tribal Health Scholars (THS) is a paid externship program that supports and inspires AI/AN high school students to envision themselves as healthcare professionals and to pursue education required for a career in healthcare.
Program Highlights:
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Virtual Curriculum:14 hours of in depth education on health careers with other regional learners.
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Clinical Shadowing: 12 hours of shadowing at your local tribal clinic.
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Financial Support: $700 stipend for curriculum completion, $600 stipend for clinical shadowing completion, scrubs provided.
Application Period:
Please visit their website for full eligibility details and FAQs. Follow us on IG and FB for updates! Contact Katie Harris Murphy, with any questions.
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The Tilikum Summer Health Experience (Tilikum) are now accepting applications until February 2025!
About Tilikum:
This 5-week summer program is designed for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) college students with up to 60 credits who are interested in health professions. Tilikum offers a combination of virtual learning and in-person experiences that include academic training, mentorship, and hands-on exposure to health careers—all while connecting students with their Indigenous heritage.
Program Highlights:
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Academic Enrichment: Core science courses, skill-building workshops, and exploration of Indigenous health issues.
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Indigenous Health & Wellness: Cultural wellness activities, visits to Indigenous sites, and connection with AI/AN healthcare professionals.
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Professional Development: Practice in PSU’s Cadaver Lab and OHSU’s Simulation Center, shadowing at OHSU, and Tribal Opioid Response Training.
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Financial Support: $1,000 stipend, meals/meal allowance, housing, and up to $500 in travel support for in-person activities.
Application Period:
Please see the attached flyer and visit our website for full eligibility details and FAQs. Follow us on IG and FB for updates on upcoming Informational Sessions and Q&A! Contact Alethea Barlowe, Tilikum Program Manager with any questions.
 
This Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) funding opportunity seeks to provide funding to improve public safety and victim services in tribal communities. CTAS provides federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia an opportunity to apply for funding to aid in developing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety. Many of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) existing tribal government-specific programs are included in and available through this single coordinated funding opportunity. For more information on this grant please visit: CTAS
Oregon Department of Education Job Openings
If you're looking for a rewarding career that positively affects the lives of children, you're in the right place! The Oregon Department of Education is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 public education in the state of Oregon.
Employment with Oregon state government represents more than just a job. A career in public service is an opportunity to serve fellow citizens across our beautiful state. Professions in state government help to support strong communities, healthy kids, education, economic vitality and a sustainable future.
For More Information about these listings and further Job Openings, Please visit our Career Opportunities webpage.
ODE Career Chats are LIVE! Would you like to learn more about a position or how our application process works? Join our Recruitment Team during our ODE Career Chat Sessions. We can assist you with all your application and agency questions!
Join us on the 1st Thursday of every month from 11:00 am to 11:45 am (PST)
Join ZoomGov Meeting -https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1618573320
NAYA Job Openings
Community Development
Financial Wellness Coordinator
Home Repair Coordinator
Reimagining Justice in Cully – Project Coordinator
Development and Communications
Development and Communications Director
Family Services
Early Childhood Family First Advocate
Foster Care Family First Advocate
Foster Care Support Specialist
Housing and Stabilization Services
Family Housing Advocate (Mobile Housing Team)
Family Shelter Advocate – On Call
Housing Services Manager
Many Nations Academy
Many Nations Academy Principal
Substitute Teacher
Youth & Education Services
Alcohol & Drug Specialist
Student Success Specialist
Two Spirit (LGBTQIA+) Program Coordinator
**Please follow this link to see more positions available at NAYA.
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Indigenous Events of Portland, OR give updated events and activities that are happening in Portland through December 2024!
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Native American Travel lets you explore and learn about Tribes across America. Plan your next trip with suggested destination sites, planned itineraries, travel tips, and experiences.
- Visit the Native American Connections website to stay updated with the North Bend Community resources, available scholarships, community craft culture activities, TAPP, Tribal history/ Shared history and a variety of local services.
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Native American Culture: Celebrate Indigenous Oregon by visiting their website that was created to explore Native American culture around the state of Oregon. This site has trip ideas, historical content for all nine federally recognized Oregon Tribes, cultural activities, and updated Oregon Tribal news. To check out more about this site please visit, Travel Oregon Native American Culture.
Burns Paiute Tribe
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Coquille Indian Tribe
Klamath Tribes
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
NAYA Native Made - Snaggin'tines Pop-up on Saturday February 8th 11:00am- 7:00pm
Do you have events or highlights in your community that you would like showcased in upcoming newsletters? If so, please send submissions to Raina Reece at Raina.Reece@ode.oregon.gov
Please feel free to e-mail our staff members with any questions or comments you may have
April Campbell, Assistant Superintendent
April.Campbell@ode.oregon.gov
Renee Roman Nose, Native American Student Success Coordinator: Renee.RomanNose@ode.oregon.gov
Brent Spencer, Indian Education Coordinator
Brent.Spencer@ode.oregon.gov
Brandon Culbertson, Early Literacy Senior Tribal Policy and Education Advisor Brandon.Culbertson@ode.oregon.gov
Stacy Parrish, Indian Education Specialist
Stacy.Parrish@ode.oregon.gov
Nicole Barney, Early Literacy Grant Specialist
Nicole.Barney@ode.oregon.gov
Raina Reece, Executive Support Specialist
Raina.Reece@ode.oregon.gov
Stephanie Gluck, Research & Data Analyst
Stephanie.Gluck@ode.oregon.gov
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