On August 3, 1990 President of the United States George H. W. Bush de-

clared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month,

commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. I hope that you

have all had an opportunity to or are planning to participate in an activity this

month that celebrates our American Indian Heritage. I know that we have

some awesome things happening in our schools over Native American Fami-

ly Involvement Day (NAFID) and that the American Indian community here in

Minneapolis always hosts some fantastic events.

As we approach the end of another calendar year I just want to take an op-portunity to give a shout out to the staff of Indian Ed. The Indian Education team here at MPS works hard every day with only one goal in mind and that is to see our students succeed. We have started some leadership focused programming this year with the American Indian Youth Council and our counselors are gearing up for another amazing Native College Fair. We have staff and resources going out every day to support schools and American In-dian students district wide. Miigwech Indian Ed team for all that you do.

-Anna Ross, Director of Indian Education

GREETINGS FROM THE D IRECTOR

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

NOVEMBER 2017

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

The mission of MPS Indian Education is to improve Na-tive student achievement and graduation rates through aca-demically rigorous culturally responsive instruction, family and student engagement and collaborative partnerships with schools and community.

Welcome 1

Ogitchidaa Oyate & Social Worker Corner

2-3

Counselor’s Corner & Middle School Groups

4-5

Welcome Back Pow Wow

6-7

NAFID 8-9

Parent Committee & Cultural Story

10-11

Inside this issue:

Indian Education’s own Gary Lussier at our first annual Welcome Back Pow Wow! Read more on pages 6 and 7.

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Rabb

In 2006, the American Indian Community entered into a historic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)) with the Minneapolis Public Schools. This first of it’s kind agreement listed a Native Youth Council as one of its priorities. This year Miskwa Mukwa Desjarlait, MPS Indian Education’s Youth Engagement Specialist, has brought that vision to life by facilitating the selection of a council for 2017-18.

We are excited to introduce the Ogichidaa Oyate (Warrior Nation), MPS school district’s first district wide Native American high school youth council! Native youth have an important role in their communities and families. Our young people will inherit Indian Country and make decisions about the future of our nations and communities. Native youth today are in the process of becoming the great warriors of tomorrow. It is essential for young people to develop their leadership skills and become engaged in their community. Ogichidaa Oyate, MPS Youth Council is an opportunity for Native American high school students to share how they envision their education and future! Native youth will partner with leaders in the Native communi-ty and school district to contribute their ideas about education. Ogichidaa Oyate will provide educational opportunities for students to learn about American Indian history, sovereignty, government to government relationships, and build invaluable leadership skills. They will be empowered to be the voice for their schools and their community on issues that impact them, their schools, their community, and their futures.

We celebrated Indigenous People’s Day October 9th, 2017 with a reception at the Davis Center by honoring and recognizing those who were selected to lead and be the voices of the young people in our schools and community.

Council Members: Kasey Granroos (Edison) Andrew Gross (Edison) Treviontae Desjarlait (North) Destiny He Does It (North) Francis Cloutier (Patrick Henry) Anthony Rudolph (Patrick Henry) Khaloni Freemont (Roosevelt) Lauren McKenzie (Roosevelt) Christian Freed (South, All Nations) Samantha Gilbert (South All Nations) Lecia Mata (South, All Nations) Sydney Nelson (South All Nations) Iris Rhoane (Southwest) Ashley Hicks (Takoda Prep) Davine Wade (Takoda Prep) Levi Little Elk (Washburn) Maxwell McDougall (Washburn) Riah Stroud (Washburn)

-Miskwa Mukwa Desjarlait, Youth Engagement Specialist

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

DISTRICT-WIDE YOUTH COUNCIL SELECTED

PAGE 2

Photo courtesy of Braden Canfield

NEW INDIAN EDUCATION STAFF

Boozhoo!

My name is Matthew LaFave and I am an enrolled member of the Fond Du Lac Lake Superior Band of Ojibwe. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minneso-ta where I graduated from MPS’s Roosevelt High School in 1990. In 2000, I graduated from Native American Educational Services (NAES) College with a B.A. in Community Studies with a focus on Public Policy. I have worked in the American Indian community for over 20 years in various youth and family fo-cused positions. I enjoy camping, fishing, sports, and keeping up with my two youngest children.

I was hired last year as a Community Liaison to assist the Ojibwe language classes at Sanford and Northeast Middle schools. Its great to see young people learning Ojibwe language and culture. I look forward to another amazing school year. If you have any questions feel free to email me at matthew.lafave@mpls.k12.mn.us .

Miigwech!

I am excited to begin my 4th year at Indian Education as a School Social Worker. This year my job has taken me on a new adventure, middle school! I serve as a support to students, families, and staff at Sanford and Northeast. Both schools have done a tremendous job at warmly welcoming incoming students from An-ishinabe! Part of the transition included bringing in Indian Health Board services at both schools, offering Ojibwe language classes, social work and counseling support, staff development, and weekly Native group. I am at Northeast on Monday/Tuesdays and Sanford on Wednesdays. On Thursdays and Fridays, I can be found at the Indian Education office. On those days, I am supporting the work of the Parent Committee and the Special Education Advisory Committee, providing “train the trainer” workshops for building social workers interested in implementing Native groups at their schools, and doing “other duties as assigned” by my boss! Looking forward to a Great School Year! -Alicia Zetah, School Social Worker

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

SOCIAL WORKER CORNER

PAGE 3

11th and 12th Graders: Practice and register to take the ACT!

The ACT college entrance exam is required for students going in to a 4 year college after high school. It is also one of the tests that can be used for MPS graduation requirements. Again this year, ALL juniors will be able to take the ACT for free at their high school on February 27th. Students should consider taking the test in the spring/summer of their junior year or in the fall of their senior year. This year’s remaining regular ACT dates: Dec. 9 register by Nov. 3 February 10 register by Jan. 12 April 14 register by March 9 June 9 register by May 4

Register online at www.actstudent.org, students receiving free/reduced lunch can get a fee waiver from their counselor, otherwise the cost is $46 w/o writing test and $67.50 w/ writing test

Free practice is available through students’ My Life Plan/Naviance account under “PrepMe” Indian Education also has ACT prep books that students can borrow or keep to take practice tests (call

Tami @ 668-0617 or Jodi @668-0157 to request) Students on free/reduced lunches are able to receive two fee waiver to take the ACT during high school Indian Education can also provide financial support when students register for the ACT *see Tami or Jodi

12th graders and Families: College Financial Aid

This year when 12th graders apply for college financial aid through FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) they will need family taxes from 2016 and can start their FAFSA application in October! So...

Please, HOLD ON TO YOUR 2016 TAX FORMS!

Indian Education College Planning Groups run through December

Students at Edison, Henry, Roosevelt, South, Southwest, Takoda, and Washburn started Indian Education groups in late September. The eight session groups are focused on college planning from a Native perspec-tive. Students will explore their educational values while learning about college options and financial aid. College field trips will occur in fall (St. Cloud State), winter and spring. If you have questions, please call Jodi at 668-0157 or Tami at 668-0617.

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

PAGE 4

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

MIDDLE SCHOOL NATIVE GROUPS

PAGE 5

The 2017 -2018 MPS Indian Education Middle School Native Groups have begun. Native Groups are sched-uled with Sanford, Northeast, Andersen, Folwell, Olson, Jefferson, Keewaydin, and Bancroft. We will still work to schedule others. Priority was given to those schools with the highest numbers of enrolled Native students.

NATIVE GROUP CURRICULUM TOPICS

Dakota/Lakota/Nakota and Ojibwe cultural /spiritual ways before European contact Contributions of Native Americans to Western society United States government policies, treaties and federal laws and reservations Social and political structures and programs existing on reservations and urban sites in Minnesota Native American cultural orientations American Indian family relationships. Grief in Dakota/Lakota/Nakota and Ojibwe communities Past and present influences of Christianity on Native American populations Introduction to spiritual ceremonies of the Dakota/Lakota/Nakota and Ojibwe Audio, kinesthetic and visual learning styles of Native American populations Native Group agenda includes smudging, Ojibwe/Dakota/HoChunk language study by all, curriculum topic, any community announcements, and a one word checkout. We are thankful to be back! Miigwech/Pidamaya/Thank you, -Gary Lussier, District Program Facilitator and Terrell Bignell, School Success Program Assistant

All p

ho

tos co

urtesy o

f Terrell B

ign

ell

1ST ANNUAL WELCOME BACK POW WOW

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

PAGE 6

This year we celebrated our community, students and family with a welcome back event. We would like to thank all MPS departments and schools, along with community partners that worked together to make this a special day for all our students and families. What a way positive way to celebrate our community!

All

ph

oto

s co

urt

esy

of

Reb

ecca

Rab

b

Even though our Native American presence in Min-neapolis is still considered small, we are a strong community. Despite our strength, we are struggling with full inclusion. Many students in the MPS system always contemplate the choice of focusing on our culture or our education. Indian education has given me opportunities to have my culture and education all in one. I’ve been one of few to grow up with a strong sense of my culture. My traditions have al-lowed me feel more connected with my community and feel grounded when everything is in chaos. My grandma always took me to powwows growing up, but I have never been to North side Minneapolis for a powwow. The Welcome Back Pow Wow was not only a first of its kind, but the first step into connecting with our whole community. The connection through-out the powwow was like family—how our communi-ty should be. The new faces who could be involved in the pow wow now that it was it in their neighbor-hood had excitement and enthusiasm. The combina-tion of new and familiar faces was authentic com-pared to a South side powwow. With the powwow being at the beginning of the year many of the up-perclassmen had an opportunity to meet the incom-ing freshmen and sophomores from every school. A welcome back powwow is a ceremony that was per-sonally helpful to me. Senior year is pretty hectic with essays and applications being thrown at you an-ytime you make a move. The powwow gave many of us the comfort and courage to get through the year. It also gave us the inclusion of having our community to support us through anything and everything. -Lecia Mata; student at South High All Nations, Native Youth Council member and female lead dancer for the pow wow

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

COMMUNITIES UNITED

PAGE 7

NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILY INVOLVEMENT DAY

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

PAGE 8

Since 2006, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) has celebrated Native American Family Involvement Day (NAFID) across the school district to recognize Native American culture. With more than 70 school sites, MPS has over 1700 Native students enrolled. Every year in November, our department encourages schools to organize events that engage Native students and families. We encourage families to work with their school and its staff to create events that celebrate the brilliance of our Native students, families, and cul-ture. Each year we are excited to visit sites as they highlight Native American culture in a way that is meaningful for their school community. Previous events have included an all-Native film fest; a pancake breakfast to welcome families; experiential learning opportunities in the classroom—like tea making, food sampling, and quillwork; performances by traditional Native American dance troupes and drum groups; and round dances. Please check in with your student’s school to learn what they have planned for Thursday, November 16th! We hope to see you!

Be Present. Be Heard. Be Strong.

All

ph

oto

s co

urt

esy

of

Od

ia W

oo

d-K

rueg

er

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

PAGE 9

The Title VI parent committee was elected in Spring 2017. The members are responsible for advising the work of Minneapolis Public Schools and the Indian Education department on what they believe would best support Native American students enrolled in the school district. The committee meets once per month on a variety of topics. The next opportunity to join this group will be in Spring 2018 when five spots will open for new or existing members to be voted on.

Chair: Angie Hirsch (Lake Manitoba First Nation)

Vice Chair: George Spears (Red Lake Nation) Secretary: Andrea Reese (Leech Lake Ojibwe)

Parent: Lisa Owen (Flandreau Dakota) Parent: Susan Bobolink (Leech Lake Ojibwe)

Parent: April Strait (Spirit Lake, Fort Totton, ND) Parent: Breanne Johnson (Bobolink-Red Lake Ojibwe)

Grandparent: Wendy Locke (Sisston Wapaton Dakota) Student: Christian Freed (Fond du Lac Ojibwe)

Student: Lecia Mata (Red Lake Ojibwe) Staff: Linda Azure (Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux and Ojibwe)

Staff: Cheryl Leavitt

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

MEET OUR TITLE VI PARENT COMMITEE

PAGE 10

Boozhoo from the Indian Education Parent Committee, I wanted to let everyone know how things are going. Its my third year and I am happy to report we have a great committee.

Some of the things we have been a part of includes planning and participating in community events, work-ing with the school board and meeting with the new superintendent. We have worked on new bylaws, met with the Johnson O’Malley Parent Committee and worked on renewing the Memoranda of Agreement with the school district.

We are a big group that meets once a month. We have been able to share our concerns about schools and our children.

If you have any concerns talk to one of us on the parent committee or call Indian Education.

I hope all of you have a good school year and I hope you will come to our next event.

Sincerely,

Sue Bobolink

Dagwaagin: It is Fall

Boozhoo Indinawemaaganidog! 'Hello all of my relatives!' Dagwaagin 'It is fall'. Mii iw apii manoominiked aw Anishinaabe 'This is when Anishinaabe harvests wild rice'. Mii sa go geget manoominikaa 'There is truly a lot of wild rice'. For countless centuries Anishinaabe has harvested manoomin on the lakes during the fall. The food that grows on water, manoomin, gives Anishinaabe the gift of both food and life every year. Manoom-inikewin 'gathering and processing wild rice' is an incredibly important part of Anishinaabe izhitwaawin 'Anishinaabe culture'.

Harvesting manoomin always makes me think of the grandfather teaching, the sacred law of Manaaji'idiwin 'Respect'. By using Anishinaabemowin 'The Ojibwe Language' we can get a great insight into what gidaanikoobijiganinaanig 'our ancestors' thought and their relationships with the land, water and all of our rela-tives. Manaaji 'really means to 'go easy on someone'. When we say Manaaji'idiwin we are actually saying 'they go easy on each other reciprocally'. After Anishinaabe asemaake 'offers tobacco' and begins to har-vest manoomin, they never attempt to gather all of the wild rice on the lake. They take only what they need. All of the rice that doesn't land in the canoe while they are knocking rice reseeds the rice bed for next season. This insures that there will be yet another harvest next year, that tobacco will be offered again and there will be another delicious feast.

The next time you are enjoying manoomin, take a moment to appreciate the wonderful gift Kizhe-Manidoo `The Kind Spirit' has given to all of us. I think you will find it is an excellent opportunity to consider how you can use Manaaji'idiwin with all of your relatives

-James ‘Kaagegaabaw’ Vukelich, Indigenous Language Specialist

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

FALL CULTURAL STORY

PAGE 11

Photo courtesy of http://www.nmai.si.edu

1250 West Broadway Ave

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55411

Phone: 612 668-0610

Fax: 612 668-0615

E-mail: IndianEd@mpls.k12.mn.us

M P S I N D I A N E D U C A T I O N

We also develop culturally relevant and engaging cur-riculum and materials for use in schools.

Support for Family Involve-ment: Indian Education provides resources and sup-port for Native American Family Involvement Day in November, but also for other opportunities throughout the year, like Connecting Parents to Educational Op-portunities, parent trainings and parent circles.

College Readiness: Our Counselors on Special As-signment work with groups of Native students to teach them college planning steps and facilitate college visits.

Advocacy for Families: If a Native student is having a

Indian Education provides many services for Native stu-dents and families within MPS. Just a few of the differ-ent roles we play are:

Resources: Indian Education provides resources, like school supplies, and student activity fees to Native students in Min-neapolis Public Schools.

Support for Instruction: Indi-an Education works with teachers and schools to help them become more familiar with the best ways for Native students to learn. We do this through professional develop-ment opportunities for teach-ers, but also through one-on one relationships. Our teach-ers on special assignment work with several school teams.

problem at their school, their parents can contact Indian Education and we will work with you to get your issue resolved.

Support for the Memoran-dum of Agreement: Indian Education works with the School Board, school district administration and the Native community to implement the ideas of the MOA. Together we are working to make the district a better place for Na-tive students to learn and achieve.

Financial Support for Pro-grams: Indian Education provides financial support for the school programs at a vari-ety of schools.

WHAT DOES INDIAN EDU CATION DO?

http://indianed.mpls.k12.mn.us/