2. American Indian Studies Summer Institute

The eleventh annual American Indian Studies Summer Institute is happening this week at the Oneida National Elementary School in Oneida, Wisconsin. The event gives educators a chance to deepen their insights and understanding of the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the federally-recognized tribes and bands in Wisconsin.

The week-long workshop includes learning tours of the Oneida Reservation and the Oneida elementary school, which reflects the Oneida worldview in that it is shaped like a turtle, with the library and representation of the Onedia creation story in the very center of the building, and the most public space, the gymnasium, in the turtle's head. Participants will meet with small groups to clarify and apply lessons shared at large-group events. Small work groups will also create a lesson or other project that can be taken back to educators' home schools to share their learning. New this year, the educators will find their partners by posting individual vision statements on a wall and finding those that align most closely.

The culminating activity is a shared meal to celebrate the formation of a new learning community.

Educators who are interested in applying for a future year should ask to be added to the American Indian Studies mailing list by visiting http://dpi.wi.gov/amind/index.html and emailing the listed contact, Connie Ellingson.

More on this year's Summer Institute: http://dpi.wi.gov/amind/doc/ai-summer.pdf

For more information about SEAchange, contact: Benson Gardner at (608) 266-3374.

Last updated on 6/25/2007