GREETINGS FROM THE D IRECTOR

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

APRIL 2018

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2

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

Ogichidaa Oyate News & Social Worker Corner

2-3

Language Class & Na-tive Group

4-5

Counselor’s Corner 6-9

Public Hearing /Events 10-14

Cultural Story 15

Inside this issue:

Boozhoo Everyone! As I am nearing the end of my third year with

Minneapolis Public Schools I am excited and energized about what the future

has in store. We are beginning to plan for our second annual Welcome Back

Pow Wow which we will be hosting in September. This is an amazing time for

us to come together as a community and share some of our culture and tradi-

tions. My hope is that this will become a regular event on everyone’s calendars

and it’s something that everyone looks forward to.

This year will also forever be in my memory as the first year of the dis-

trict wide Native American Youth Council. These young people have been

called upon many times throughout the year to serve as advocates for their

communities and they are always up to the challenge. They have risen as lead-

ers both in their schools as well as state wide. It is so refreshing for everyone

else to recognize the potential in our kids that we have been talking about all

along.

I’ve had the opportunity to travel with some high school students as

well as meet with some middle school focus groups. My time spent with stu-

dents is especially important to me. These kids are so outgoing, funny, smart,

and articulate. I love having the opportunity to learn and share with them. I’ve

also had the opportunity to work very closely with our Indian Ed Parent Advi-

sory Committee (Title VI Parent Committee). I so appreciate the time and en-

ergy that these people have donated to our department and our work. Their

passion for our students is evident in our conversations and work sessions.

They have been true advocates for our students and our community.

Updates from our district wide Youth Council

Written by Khaloni Freemont

Student at Nawayee Center School and member of Ogichidaa Oyate

youth council.

Community work, I have always loved doing that, and so does our

Native American Youth Council (NAYC) Ogichidaa Oyate. There are

two student delegates from each high school in Minneapolis. We are

working to better our community. The youth council meets twice a

month to discuss our projects in the making, learning quill work and

discussing what we experience in our own schools. We also discuss what

kinds of Native American projects happen in our schools.

The process to join the council consisted of filling out applications and

letters of recommendations and returning to Miskwa Mukwa Desjarlait

who is the Youth Engagement Specialist with the Indian Education

department. The members were picked carefully and who seemed to

want to do the work and make it a success. After the council was chosen,

we went on a retreat in November to Wisconsin to get to know what type

of work we would be doing, what we are representing and to get to know each other too! It was in partner-

ship with Indian Education and Migizi Communications. We stayed at Lake Pepin YMCA camp and the dele-

gates started getting along very well. We did a fair amount of team building, learning different cultural teach-

ings and showed our communication skills. After all the hard work and team bonding we were given a fun

day at Treasure Island. After coming back from the trip we started our monthly meetings in October. The

youth council had to pick one delegate to join the Minnesota Youth Tribal Gathering (MYTG) with Vanessa

Good Thunder. After the votes were in, I was chosen to represent the youth council. With the MYTG I am

working towards showing awareness to the opioid dilemma in the Native community. They wanted to pre-

sent something from each age group so that all youth voices could be heard. The NAYC has been planning a

couple events, which include doing a event for the elderly at Bii Di Gain Dash Anwebi and a retreat much

like ours for middle school Native students entering high school.

Multiple students from the council have signed up for Step Up an organization to help teens get a summer job

and work experience. They go to Saturday sessions for training on how to conduct themselves while in the

workforce they choose and go to mock interviews. When they go to the interview they will need to dress pro-

fessionally and bring two copies of their resume. When you go to the interview they treat it as an actual inter-

view and help you with any constructive criticism and feed back to help you improve. They choose each can-

didate based on how well they did and you will receive an internship over the summer.

We will check back and share our events with you at the end of they year!

Miigwech

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

OGICHIDAA OYATE

PAGE 2

With Braden Canfield

It has been a great year for supporting our students’ attendance and school

success! Anishinabe Academy has been hosting wonderful treats at a special

table during lunch every month for their 100% Club (students with one month of

perfect attendance). The Dream Big Attendance Work Group has collaborated

with the “All Nations” Program at South High to sponsor quarterly community

meals for the students and families of their program. Birch Bark Books has

graciously offered to provide a brand new book for the winners of a quarterly

raffle held at all 4 MPS Best Practice sites for students with excellent attendance.

And….We are looking forward once again to our annual Attendance Celebration

held in honor of all students who have attended at or above 95% for the

academic year 2017-18. It will be held at East Phillips Community Center on

May 2nd from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. As always, a feast will be served for invited students and their family

members. Afterwards, each excellent attender will be called forward to receive a certificate. Midnite Express

will be on hand to open and close the event and provide an honor song. And the ever-popular Photo Fun

Booth will be available for your spontaneous loony (or ser ious) photo needs. We will close the event

with a wonderful Raffle of prizes for all ages. Be sure to check for your invitation coming home from school

with your stellar attending student!

100% CLUB AT

ANISHINABE

With CeCe Benimon

The 100% club came from our wonderful attendance

team. The team came up with the idea as a way to show

the students that do get here every day on time our

appreciation. We also wanted to encourage other students

to be a part of it as well, so we do it out in the open in the

cafeteria. We decorate the cafeteria with signs, table

cloths, center

pieces and we serve the kids a delicious healthy dessert.

We want to keep encouraging our students so this is done

every month so every student has a chance to earn it no

matter how many days they missed previously.

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2

SOCIAL WORKER CORNER

PAGE 3

BOOZHOO

Matthew (Asininini) Lafave, with support from Mavis Mantila (Sanford) and James Vukelich (Indian Educa-

tion Indigenous Language Specialist), teaches Ojibwe classes at Sanford and Northeast Middle schools. 1 class

is offered at Northeast and 4 classes are offered at Sanford. 140 students have enrolled! We hope to expand

the class to more schools next year! Students learn by using oral drills and repetition in class.

Other topics studied this year include:

History of Ojibwe culture and language

In class vocabulary and conversational phrases

Greetings, feelings and basic commands

The students end with a final oral speech

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OJIBWE CLASS

There are a total of 6 classes of Ojibwe language being offered at Sanford and Northeast Middle Schools.

Students learn via an online language learning program called memrise.com as well as incorporating other

language activities and projects into daily curriculum. Students this past quarter have been learning about

the Iskigamizigewin (Sugar Bush) and Niimiiding (Pow Wow). In May we will be taking a fieldtrip to the

Mille Lacs Museum. Watch for information being sent home with your student!

Miigwech Matt

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

PAGE 4

OJIBWE CLASSES AT SANFORD AND NORTHEAST

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2

MIDDLE SCHOOL NATIVE GROUPS

PAGE 5

With Gary Lussier and Terrell Bignell

Smudging Ceremony*

Survey*

Ojibwa/Dakota language handouts*

Ice breaker BINGO game*

Pow-wow Bingo*

Creator’s game

Book: The Creator’s Game

Book: Before Columbus*

Book: American Indian Contributions to the World*

Jumping Sticks game

Double Ball

Medicine Wheel Teachings and art project*

No DAPL discussions

Seven Grandfather Teachings*

Moccasin Games*

Log bundle or firewood Game*

Indian Snake Stick game*

Native Middle School Groups with Mr. Lussier and Ms. Bignell

Our purpose is to engage our young Native children focusing on four aspects of their nature; spiritual,

emotional, physical, and mental. Our work is to build relationships of trust while getting to know students in

our group. Our initiative is to provide an experience of Ojibwa / Dakota language and culture. The

organization of such an endeavor has brought us down many avenues of exploration and research with the

sole purpose and curiosity of how can one “engage” adolescent Native youth. When it comes to our Native

children we cannot leave any stone unturned! As you know there are many, many resources; published in

books, manuals, papers, presentations, the internet, colleagues, parents and community. We continue to dig

into curricular approaches in order to engage each of our students

The following is a list of activities and / or teachings developed for Native Middle School students.

Those underlined are ones we have done this year so far with Native students.

We are currently “loom beading.

Book: Love Flute, Goble*

Norval Morriseau Art and clan

teachings

Creation Story and video*

Native Essential presentation

Native Foods Perspective*

Porcupine Quill introduction

Lakota Traditions*

Dakota Language*

Native American Curriculum*

Native American Card Games; Gii-

goonh, Ojibwe Matching.*

Ojibwe Language Experience*

Storytelling Traditional Stories*

Spirit Rock Painting

Loom Beading**

Rosette Beading

Asemaa from Red Willow*

Medicine bag

Four Sacred Medicine teachings*

Birch Bark and painting (ornament)*

Dreamcatchers*

Buffalo story and buffalo hide teachings

Book: Trickster

Native Flute*

Counselor’s Corner –Jodi Burke , Tracy Burke and Tami Johnson, licensed school counselors

11th

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. 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 date: 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

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

If you haven’t completed your FAFSA (free application for federal

student aid)- meet with your Indian Education counselor or College

and Career Center (CCC) staff NOW!

On February 27, Minneapolis

Mayor Jacob Frey joined

selected South High School

seniors for breakfast. Frey,

pictured with Christian Freed

and Lecia Mata of South’s All

Nations program, shared his

story and answered questions

from students.

This past summer, three of our students attended College Horizons (CH) at Princeton University, Princeton,

NJ: seniors Gabe Spinks (Sisseton-Wahpeton) of Edison High School and Christian Freed (Fond du Lac)

and Lecia Mata (Red Lake and Dine) both of South High School.

College Horizons (CH), a pre-college program for Native American students, is a five-day crash course on

college searches, applications, ACT preparation, financial aid, and college essay and interview tips. Stu-

dents build relationships with each other and college counselors representing highly selective college across

the U.S. Students also get support and reminders during the school year as they work on their college plan-

ning.

What made you decide to go to CH?

GS: I saw CH as an opportunity to travel and to be around other Native American people that have a similar

mindset. Everyone had the desire to succeed and go to college.

LM: I took Maddie’s (South high alum and form CH attendee) advice and wanted to get ready for

college early, so I wasn’t overwhelmed later.

CF: At fir st I was more interested in getting a chance to connect with other Native students from dif-

ferent parts of the U.S., but the college preparation was an awesome bonus.

Did you have to pay to go ?

GS: No, I was able to get scholarships to cover all the costs.

LM and CF: Indian Education paid for our application fee and the down payment. We received a

scholarship for some of it and we each paid for about $200 ourselves.

Were you nervous about going?

GS: More nervous to fly for the first time, but really excited for the program.

LM: Yes! I was nervous about making a good impression/standing out to the college representations

and getting to know my roommates.

CF: I wasn’t nervous until we got on the plane.

Counselor’s Corner –Jodi Burke, Tracy Burke and Tami Johnson, licensed school counselors

Lecia Mata Christian Freed

Gabe Spinks

College Horizon’s continued

What was it like there?

GS: We were kept busy all day. I would be doing work until 11:00pm, but it was FUN, so I didn’t mind. I had

roommates from Colorado, Hawaii and New Mexico and I really had fun with them. I was surrounded by sim-

ilar Native people, who are all successful and motivated. We were inspired to dream big and to set our aspira-

tions high. I left feeling much more interested and motivated to go to college.

LM: The weather was really hot! The buildings had all this gothic architecture and reminded me of

Spain. It was also hectic with so many of us there and we were all really busy.

CF: The program was really welcoming. There were 150 students, but only 40 guys. We got to know

our roommates and study groups well and still keep in touch with them.

Q: What advice would you give to other students thinking about going to CH?

GS: I would say, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. And if you decide to go then to give it your all.

LM: Keep an open mind; don’t judge people by how they fir st appear . Listen to everything, even if you

think it doesn’t matter, because you’ll need that information later on. Use all the resources and people support

that they offer you and learn to network.

CF: Don’t worry. Look at ALL your college options; I had never heard of Northland in Wisconsin and

now it’s on of my top choices.

Q: What benefits did you get from going to CH?

LM: It helped me create mentor relationships with the college admissions rep.’s. They also gave me

tips on how best to explain my circumstances in the college essay.

CF: I star ted the Common App. and got a lot of tips about completing the essay.

Counselor’s Corner –Jodi Burke, Tracy Burke and Tami Johnson, licensed school counselors

Attention Juniors, Seniors and 5th year Seniors: Native Youth Futures Financially Independent (NYFFI)

is recruiting for the 2017-2018 school year

NYFFI provides students with opportunities and supports needed to prepare for financially independent as

adults. Students can participate in the summer or during the school year by getting placed in a job or keeping

the job the currently have. Students are expected to put aside a portion of their earnings for college and will

get an $8:$1 match.

Find out if your student is eligible for this opportunity by

contacting Nicole or John at MIGIZI at (612)721-6631 or e-

mail: nicole@migizi.org.

.

Counselor’s Corner –Jodi Burke, Tracy Burke and Tami Johnson, licensed school counselors

Planning for the Future

Indian Education students from all over the state, including Sanford

Middle School and South High School, gathered at Augsburg Universi-

ty for their annual Native Youth Day. Students toured the campus, had

lunch and listened to speakers like Tall Paul share their stories about how

they got into college. Tall Paul shared his painful and inspiring story about

how he struggled through school, got support and kept working through

each issue until he finished.

On March 8th, high school students from Edison, Henry,

Washburn, Roosevelt and South looked into job training

programs at Job Corps in St. Paul and Takoda Institute

and Summit Academy OIC’s in Minneapolis.

Our next field trip will be April 26-27 to North Dakota State

College of Science and the University of MN-Morris.

Job Corps paint shop, where students can earn an

A.S. degree in collaboration with Century College

Takoda Institute where students can earn a

certificate in Information Technology

Job Corps construction trades where students learn about

framing, electricity and dry wall installation

INDIAN EDUCATION EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

PAGE 10

Indian Education Public Hearing and Title VI Parent Committee

Elections

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

Join us for our annual Public Hearing

As described in the Title VI federal guidelines we have a com-

mitment to provide Minneapolis families and community with

informational data every year. Our annual Public Hearing is a

way for Indian Education to share this information with you in

regards to how we are doing as a district and some of the great

initiatives we have put in place to support our Native students’

academic success and a way to gather feedback and share ideas

as a community.

We will also be holding our Parent Committee Elections, so

come join us and let your voices be heard!

INDIAN EDUCATION

PUBLIC HEARING & PARENT COMMITTEE

ELECTIONS Choose a site and Date that works for you!

Northeast Anishinabe Folwell

2955 Hayes St. NE. 3100 E. 28th St. 3611 20th Avenue So.

Tuesday, April 17th Thursday, April 19th Thursday, April 26th

6-8 P.M 4-7 P.M. 3-6 P.M.

Events and Celebrations: Indian Education

Indian Education along with several community partners host events throughout the year to honor our Native

students and families.

NAFID: Native American Family Involvement Day

November is Native American Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures,

traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Every year we

encourage schools to do the same. This year we had 45 schools take part in celebrating our families. Some of

the schools invited families to share a meal, learn about culture and enjoy presentations of dancing, singing

and storytelling.

Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders

One Student at a Time

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2

HONORING OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

PAGE 11

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

SCHOOL NEWS & EVENTS

PAGE 12

The 2nd graders embarked on a new project this year with the support of the Indian Ed Department. We were

studying a unit of inquiry in the theme Where We Are in Place and Time. The central idea of this unit was,

"Where we live effects how they live." This unit addresses the many places in the world that people live and

what life might be like, based on where you live. We incorporated the social study history standards relating

to the historical records and artifacts for Minnesota Dakota and how culture reflects the history, daily life and

beliefs of its people into this unit by learning about Ojibwe culture. We created these beautiful shoulder bags

from a kit purchased through the Minnesota Historical Society. Our students could not have been more proud

of their work!

Sue Francis

Sue Francis

The students at Bancroft Elementary

with the help of Sue Francis the

IB-PYP Coordinator had the opportunity to integrate

Ojibwe culture in the classroom.

Miigwech, thank you Sue for sharing this amazing

project with your students!

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2

BANCROFT BANDOLIER PROJECT

Page 13

MPS INDIAN EDUCATION NEWS

SAVE THE DATE

PAGE 14

Ziigwan: It is Spring

It is Ziigwan 'Spring' and there are several fascinating perspectives and teachings on this season

found in the Ojibwe name Zaagibagaagiizis 'The Budding Moon' or May. The teachings themselves

are embedded in the words and names of our language. The word part or morpheme - bag- means

'leaf' while the morpheme 'zaag' means 'out'. When we combine the word parts we have an under-

standing of how our ancestors described the entire movement of the Budding moon of mother earth

regenerating life. Of course all of the plants that are budding are in some way or another Mashkiki

'the strength of the earth' or medicine. So zaagibagaa is not just describing the movement of the

plants, the medicines. It is also a symbol of the creator's and our mother's love for the Anishinaabeg

'The human beings'

The symbol of love and life coming out of the earth without a cause, without thought or a

reason. The source for this life is the same source as zaagi'iwewin 'love'. Notice that the

word for love also begins with zaag- meaning 'out'. The love we feel for all of our relatives

just comes out, its source is beyond thought, beyond cause or for any reason. It just is.

We should also be aware that the medicine also shows us how to love. Love's scope and

perspective are beyond good and evil. It does not discriminate against the good person

who is a bad person's teacher or the bad person who is the good person's job. The medicine

heals, nourishes, and gives life to both with prejudice by looking beyond actions and

caring only for the actor. It doesn't ask for anything in return, it simply gives joyfully.

We can never create a word that means 'love' in the eternal and universal nature of the

Creator. The Ojibwe Language can only elegantly describe it. Like the life giving of spring,

we use this grandfather teaching to show us how to lead Mino-bimaadiziwin 'the good life'.

James ‘Kaagegaabaw’ Vukelich, Indigenous Language Specialist

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2

SPRING CULTURAL STORY

Page 15

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/