Amber Heikkinen, a KBOCC ECE sophomore student reading Asha My First Pow Wow Dance to a kindergarten classroom at Baraga Elementary School in Baraga, Michigan.
By Ashley Hebert, Early Childhood Education Department Chair KBOCC
2024-2027 Ihduwiyayapi: Advancing Indigenous Early Childhood Education Grant Program
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC), located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near the Keweenaw Bay Indian Reservation, is making significant strides in enhancing Indigenous early childhood education. In spring 2024, the college was awarded an Ihduwiyayapi: Advancing Indigenous Early Childhood Education grant by the American Indian College Fund (College Fund). The grant, titled Gimaajiigimin (meaning “we are growing”), supports KBOCC’s early childhood education programs and efforts to empower students—many of whom are key educators in their local community.
KBOCC kicked off the year in early September by providing swag bags and gas cards to early childhood students, alleviating financial burdens and fostering a sense of community. All early childhood students were encouraged to attend this open event, as a way to bring everyone together at the start of a new school year. It allowed for collaboration and highlighted the many opportunities within the department for both students and faculty.
One of the grant’s main goals is to increase Indigenous cultural awareness and literacy. In the fall, students from KBOCC’s Children’s Literature class reviewed various books aligning with Indigenous values and the Anishinaabe language. They selected three books for a community-wide reading initiative:
- “Little You” by Richard Van Camp
- “Asha My First Pow Wow Dance” by Jocelyn L. Mackenzie
- “Thunder Boy Jr.” by Sherman Alexie
Three Native children’s books were distributed to 0–8-year-old children at local Early Head Start, Head Start and elementary schools.
These books were then distributed and read in fifteen early childhood classrooms and eleven early elementary classrooms, which include grades kindergarten through second. All the classrooms we visited were spread across the communities of L’Anse and Baraga, promoting both literacy and cultural understanding. This type of community project helps give our early childhood students the opportunity to engage with seasoned educators. It shows them what they are working towards with hands on learning experience, while giving our youngest learners the opportunity to expand their cultural knowledge and the privilege to bring it home and share it with their families.
Rachel Ritchie, a KBOCC ECE sophomore student reading Asha My First Pow Wow Dance to a kindergarten classroom at L’Anse Elementary School in L’Anse, Michigan.
The next portion of this grant was focused on strengthening the students’ knowledge and career prospects. KBOCC early childhood educators and students attended the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Conference in Anaheim, California. This opportunity exposed them to the latest practices in early childhood education, enhancing their skills and enriching their practical knowledge.
The college is looking forward to a new class called, Community Connections: Early Childhood & Indigenous Traditions focused on community engagement. It will be offered in collaboration with the College Fund grant. In this class students will take a leadership role in organizing the upcoming children’s pow wow in spring 2025. This project will give students hands-on experience in organizing community events and deepen their connection to Anishinaabe cultural traditions.
With this grant, KBOCC has been given opportunities to provide activities and experiences which exemplify our commitment to advancing early childhood education while integrating Indigenous culture, language, and community involvement, ensuring that the next generation of educators is well-equipped to make a meaningful impact.
