As a mother of five children, my fourth-born son, was measurably behind reaching milestone after milestone. Knowing not all children develop at the same pace, it got harder to watch him struggle as he got older. The inefficacy in his education was apparent. I was disappointed by the anxiety school caused him with no resolution.
Envisioning a sustainable community can be a difficult and complex task. Students at Sisseton Wahpeton College (SWC) are learning about how to handle it with ease, however, including defining, envisioning, and building sustainability for future generations.
This is a collaborative series developed by the College Fund’s Environmental Sustainability, Native Arts and Early Childhood Education program initiatives. This is the first blog of a six-part series focused on place-based education.
The Indigenous Design and Planning Institute (iD+Pi) at the University of New Mexico was established on the belief that Indigenous communities should benefit from the best practices that design and planning have to offer in a manner that is culturally informed.
The growth and continuity of our home the Earth, as well as an eco-system, a seed, a student or a community, requires the support, communication and the action of many.
I have always been interested in art and design since I was a young girl in high school. In fact, I dreamed of my career being in the realm of interior design. Initially, it did not feel like I ended up in that realm, but experience and my perspective has changed throughout the years.
Since graduating from high school my educational development has focused on forestry and natural resources, and my career in various technical and professional positions has been intertwined with my educational focus. I approach my education and career as complementary activities, because my jobs are opportunities to learn and learning is my job.
During this month dedicated to women, I want to acknowledge the importance of Native women who work in environmental spaces. It was primarily women who encouraged me to believe in my relationship with the earth and who acknowledge me as I am, which is to say a mixed-race queer.
Conferences can be a great place for early childhood educators, families, teachers in training, and researchers working with indigenous young children. They are a place to gather ideas and build professional development for use in the classroom.
Bridget Skenadore, Project Officer of Native Arts and Culture at the American Indian College Fund, had the opportunity to participate in the Heard Museum’s Navajo rug weaving workshop in November 2017. In her job capacity she has had the opportunity to learn about Traditional Native Art forms from the upper-Midwest and with this opportunity from the Heard Museum she was able to learn about a Traditional Native Art form from her culture.
