On Saturday, Nov 16, Native American parents, community members and teachers met with district leadership from North Wasco CSD and Hood River CSD to share responses to the question: What do you want to see changed in schools to improve the experience for Native American students?
After a blessing from Jerry Allison and lunch, approximately 35 people reviewed and discussed over 250 responses collected from four different Native American events hosted in the region in the spring 2024. Key themes emerged from the data: Culturally responsive teaching; Native staff represented among educators; racism; teaching Native language for credit in high school; supports for students outside of schools; teaching true and real history; mental health and wellness; and Native parent involvement in school decision making.
Azariah Ozias, CGESD Native American Family Liaison, and Kieran Connolly, CGESD Columbia REN, led a rich discussion on these themes where Native parents, teachers and community members shared their thoughts on the barriers and what the next steps should be. At the end of the day, Supt Bill Newton, Hood River CSD, and Supt Dr Carolyn Bernal, North Wasco CSD, both had appointments to meet with Azariah Ozias to work on next steps.
This work began a year ago with a group of 15: Native American parents, a principal from North Wasco, a teacher from Dufur, and ESD staff who call themselves Native Community and Educators Collaborate (NCEC). They met monthly to plan and organize how to bring their ideas to the school districts, rather than wait for the school district to ask them. Sharing their ideas at this convening is the first step. Next, how will the Native parents and school district leadership build on this promising beginning?
Rich conversation about the importance of Native teachers in schools. Mary Allison, Harmony Allison; Luke Viera, Principal Col Wright ES; Gabi DeLeone Dir of CREN; Sandra Harris, Dir of Human Resources NWCSD.
Deep discussion about Tribal Mental Health and Wellness. Devon Dawkins, Chickasaw, Dufur School. Dawn LaMieux, Chippewa & HoChunk, The Next Door Program Manager of Native Supports; Bill Newton, Supt HRCSD