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WEAC Secretary-Treasurer Betsy Kippers, right, receives a Native American basket from Ann Thundercloud of the Ho-Chunk Nation as a token of appreciation for WEAC's support toward the development of the Native American Tourism of Wisconsin Education Package.
Three school districts receive curriculum at conference
WEAC provided funding that made it possible for three school districts to be presented with the Native American Educational Series for use in classroom instruction during the Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW) Conference Tuesday (June 17, 2008) that was hosted by the Sokaogon (Mole Lake) Chippewa Tribe.
WEAC Secretary-Treasurer Betsy Kippers was on hand to present the resources to representatives of the Wabeno, Crandon and Laona school districts.
Wisconsin public schools have been required by law to teach Wisconsin Native American Indian history and culture since 1991, but there had been few resources to assist educators. In 2006, WEAC and the NEA joined forces with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) to produce the Native American Educational Series. The material has been approved by the 11 Wisconsin tribes that are members of the GLITC.
Long before WEAC was approached to partner on the project, there was commitment from the organization to support the teachings of Wisconsin’s tribes through a WEAC Resolution. The resolution states that WEAC encourages curriculum and teaching programs that foster respect for Wisconsin’s American Indian culture, history, treaty rights and sovereignty.
Traditions are an integral part of WEAC’s core message that great schools benefit everyone. This includes the teachings and traditions of Wisconsin’s Native American peoples, Kippers said.
Posted June 20, 2008