- photograph of Aimee Ameline
Find something that you enjoy doing, that you get satisfaction out of. If you work hard you can do it.
-Aimee Ameline (Little Shell)
- photograph of April Youpee
If something is hard, take it as a challenge. Don’t give up. Make an effort to be involved in where you’re going in life.
-April Youpee (Dakota Sioux)
- photograph of Billie Rusek
Don’t ever give up. Be who you are and know that you can succeed.
-Billie Rusek (Chippewa Cree)
- photograph of Casaja Fritzler
People say it’s naïve to think you can make a difference, but I don’t. Even if you make a difference in one person’s life, it’s worth it.
-Casaja Fritzler (Crow)
- photograph of Chaney Bell
Follow your heart, listen to your parents and Elders, be strong and true and respect everything, especially yourself.
-Chaney Bell (Salish)
- phtograhp of Desi Small-Rodriguez
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I truly believe one person – a teacher, a mentor, a friend – can change your life.
-Desi Small-Rodriguez (Northern Cheyenne)
- photograph of Duran Caferro
Champions do things that average people are unwilling to do.
-Duran Caferro (Northern Cheyenne)
- photograph of Dustin Whitford
Work hard, study, go to class, and your work will be easy. If you miss classes and don’t go to work, you make it harder on yourself.
-Dustin Whitford (Chippewa-Cree)
- photograph of Dyani Bingham
Really understand how special and talented and powerful you are and how much the world needs you.
-Dyani Bingham (Fort Belknap Assiniboine)
- photograph of Gisele Forrest
In this world we’ll encounter difference. We must be respectful and knowledgeable about others’ beliefs.
-Gisele Forrest (Fort Peck Assiniboine)
- photograhp of Heather Cahoon
Keep writing. And write for yourself. Don’t let other people’s opinions deter you.
-Heather Cahoon (Pend d'Orielle)
- photograph of Jamie Fox
If you have a goal, go for it without doubt in your mind that you can achieve it.
-Jamie Fox (Gros Ventre/Metis)
- photograph of Joshua Brown
Surround yourself with positive minded people and hold onto your dream.
-Joshua Brown (Salish)
- photograph of Kenny Nicholson Jr.
Be responsible and be persistent. Don’t ever give up…Everything’s going to work but that work is going to be rewarding. Don’t be afraid of it.
-Kenny Nicholson Jr. (Gros Ventre/Cree)
- photograph Lane Spotted Elk
I don’t really know where I’d be without the Boys and Girls Club. It kept me out of trouble and helped me be the person that I am today.
-Lane Spotted Elk (Northern Cheyenne/Crow)
- photograph of Lauren Corcoran
There’s a big world out there with many options. Stay focused and work hard and you’ll get there.
-Lauren Corcoran (Chippewa-Cree)
- photograph of Leslie Caye
Find your inner fire. Your inner push. Whether it’s something big or something little, stay true to the fullness of life.
-Leslie Caye (Kootenai)
- photograph of Melanie Sandoval
I have had to learn how to speak up to assert myself.
-Melanie Sandoval (Salish)
- photograph of Michael Beers
I’m going to be all the me I can be. Hopefully I can bring you a different perspective so that the next time you won’t bring the same assumptions.
-Michael Beers (Blackfeet)
- photograph of Ryan Rushe
Be involved in the shaping of your lives. Be involved in the country that you live in. You need not be bystanders and let adults tell you what to do. You have a voice.
-Ryan Rushe (Fort Peck Assiniboine)
- photograph of Shannon Augare
As tribal people, we know the value of respect…government and citizens need to cooperate to create a community we can all thrive in.
-Shannon Augare (Blackfeet)
- photograph of Tachini Pete
Our people are going to be stronger and stronger because of language. … our language gives every person the ability to have our own personal viewpoint in the world.
-Tachini Pete (Navajo/Salish)
- photograph of Tamara Guardipee
Go for it. If you mess up, just keep going. Make it up later on. Just go out there and play your game.
-Tamara Guardipee (Blackfeet)
- photograph of Tuff Harris (Crow/Northern Cheyenne)
Before honor is humility. Remember to always be humble.
-Tuff Harris (Crow/Northern Cheyenne)
- photograph of Kenneth "Tuffy" Helgeson
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can’t do it just because you haven’t seen it.
-Kenneth "Tuffy" Helgeson (Fort Belknap Assiniboine)
Counselors
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Understanding and Treating Childhood Traumatic Stress "Cognitive Behavioral Intervention in Schools" is a short power point presentation by OPI and the University of Montana's Institute for Educational Research and Service. The presentation summarizes the findings of the Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACE study, "one of the largest investigations ever conducted on the links between childhood maltreatment and later-life health and well-being."
OPI renewal units available. Instructions found within the presentation. http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/IndianEd/Trauma/ -
Inspiration & Innovation – Ten Effective Counseling Practices from the College Board's Inspiration Award Schools" from the College Board and the National Center for School Counseling Outcome Research.
To generate a greater understanding of the value of school counselors as leaders in providing rigorous academics for all students, the College Board’s National Office for School Counselor Advocacy (NOSCA) commissioned research to determine what these school counselors are actually doing that contributes to broadening access to college, especially for underrepresented students. Inspiration & Innovation highlights the results of that research and shares the 10 strategies used by the remarkable counselors and administrators in these successful schools. -
Division of Education Research & Service (DERS) at the University of Montana has sustained a commitment to promoting the social development and academic achievement of all learners. Since 1957 the organization has proven its expertise through the development of effective research models and practical educational services in the areas of safety, health, technological competency, and early intervention of students and communities. Within the Mental Health Division of DERS, extensive research has been conducted and applied in several of Montana's American Indian communities.
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Helping Traumatized Children Learn: Supportive School Environments for Children Traumatized by Family Violence. This Report and Policy Agenda is compiled by the Massachusetts Advocates for Children: Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative in collaboration with The Hale and Dorr Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School and The Task Force on Children Affected by Domestic Violence.
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"Intergenerational Trauma and Historical Grief in American Indians: A Review of Conceptualizations from Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart" by Melanie Ottenbacher. This file reviews American Indian's historical trauma and grief research, in addition to coping strategies and solutions.
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Reclaiming Youth is a movement of professionals, citizens, parents, and policy leaders concerned with children and youth in conflict in home, school, and community. To learn more about this organization go to: http://www.reclaiming.com/
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"Back to Teaching Virtues" is an abstract by Don Trent Jacobs from the Center for Excellence in Education at Northern Arizona University presented at the Modern Native American 2001 Conference.
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American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research issue published by the Journal of the National Center (Volume 8, #2, 1998). Articles include "Teacher, Parent, and Youth Report of Problem Behaviors Among Rural American Indian and Caucasian Adolescents," "Factors Influencing the Pursuit of Educational Opportunities in American Indian Students," and "The American Indian Holocaust: Healing Historical Unresolved Grief."
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Historic Trauma and Aboriginal Healing", a report for The Aboriginal Healing Foundation, by Cynthia C. Wesley-Esquimaux, Ph.D.
Links
Curriculum...
American Indian/Minority Achievement - Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education Montana University System - The director advocates and advises campus administrators and faculty
Evaluation Guidelines for Web Sites about American Indian Peoples - addresses issues such as authenticity, appropriateness, respect, and assessing quality. Required reading for anyone planning a Native American Web site, or any Web site!
Indian Education, Tribal Colleges and Native Studies Programs - listings of over 100 Indian education resource sites
Journal of American Indian Education - scholarly journal, which publishes papers specifically related to the education of American Indians.
General Interest...
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) - nurtures building of community by bridging science and technology with Native values
Division of Education and Research University of Montana
Montana Indian Nations: Billings School District II Web site
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council - all Montana tribal government Web pages as well as Montana news pertinent to Montana Indian tribes.
National American Indian, Alaskan and Hawaiian Educational Development Center - The Center trains K-3 teachers and administrators in an early literacy learning and math to ensure continued accountability and effectiveness.
Native Students - Balancing two worlds
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory's Comprehensive Center Region X Indian Education Resources - Links to Title VII resources and various Indian education sites.
Reference Index - Montana The Magazine Of Western History
The Six Nations: Oldest Living Participatory Democracy on Earth - historical connections between the Iroquois Confederation and America
Multicultural...
"Echoes in the Electronic Wind: A Native American Cross-cultural Internet Guide"
USC Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research - links to American Indian language sites and contains full text articles on various topics in Indian education.
Organization...
American Indian College Fund - This site contains links to Montana's Tribal Colleges. "Educating the Mind and Spirit."
Center for Indian Education - Arizona State Univ. - promotes studies in American Indian/Alaska Native policy and administration
CREDE Center for Research on Education, Diversity and Excellence
Governor's American Indian Nations (GAIN) Council
Montana GEAR UP - Montana GEAR UP believes that postsecondary education is possible for all Montana students, regardless of economic background, and strives to empower them to realize that ambition.
Montana Indian Education Association
National Indian Education Association
National Indian School Board Association
Tribal Colleges...
Blackfeet Community College - Located on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, MT.
Chief Dull Knife College - Located on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Lame Deer, MT.
Fort Belknap College - Located on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Fort Belknap, MT.
Fort Peck Community College - Located on the Fort Peck Reservation in Poplar, MT.
Little Big Horn College - Located on the Crow Reservation in Crow Agency, MT.
Salish Kootenai College - Located on the Flathead Reservation in Polson, MT.
Stone Child College - Located on the Rocky Boy Reservation in Rocky Boy, MT.
Professional Development - Conferences & Workshops
The Indian Education Division is pleased to offer the following professional development recommendations that will assist in the implementation of Indian Student Achievement and other initiatives in Indian Education.
No new listings at this time. Thank you for checking back soon.
Resources and Guidance
Equity in Special Education Placement: A School Self- Assessment Guide for Culturally Responsive Practice by Heraldo V. Richards, Alfredo J. Artiles, Janette Klingner, and Ayanna Brown.
From The National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems (NCCRESt), a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. http://www.nccrest.org/publications/tools/assessment.html
This tool is an instrument that allows schools to conduct a self-assessment of their programs and practices in five domains:
- School Governance, Organization, Policy and Climate
- Family Involvement
- Curriculum
- Organization of Learning
- Special Education Referral Process and Programs
Letter to Vendors and Resource Providers
A Guide for Evaluating Indian Education Services, Products, and Materials
