Connecting with American Indian Families

1. Connecting with American Indian Families

2. Relationship Building • The key is to be patient. • Build trust by connecting first & foremost on a personal level with students & families. • Respectfully learn of every individual student’s interests & strengths so that you can build upon them. • This will benefit student well being & improve workplace for staff also.

3. The teachers in my school treat me with respect

4. Do Your Homework • Take time to understand the legacy of the American Indian people. • Find out what reservation the families are from & learn about their values & history. • Visit local organizations & learn more about the Twin Cities area’s Native population. • Check out local American Indian celebrations! • Research more about Indigenous pedagogy & implement them into your classroom curriculum. • Build a solid team for your school site of teachers, administration, students, and parents.

5. Learning Styles • Native people have honored the holistic wellness of children. Therefore, children tend to learn holistically. Share how small lessons contribute to the whole picture. • A visual, hands on learning experience that is connected to engagement & humor are ways that children will grasp concepts thoroughly. • Collaborative & small group activities will allow more room for students to take risks & participation. • Allow time for students to reflect & digest information or experiences. They are more likely to store the knowledge & apply it at a later time.

6. Most of my teachers teach their subjects in ways that make me want to learn

7. Family • American Indian families are deeply devoted to one another, including extended family members. • Indigenous children have inherited the weight of historical trauma. They have an enormous amount of work ahead of them in order to be healthy, happy, and productive adults. There is years of healing ahead of them. Please be mindful of this. • Some families participate in ceremonial practices that have significant value. There is much preparation & sometimes travel associated with these times. • Children are traditionally seen as sacred gifts from the Creator.

8. Communication • Start the year off with clear & concise expectations & make sure both parents & students understand them. • Organize a weekly newsletter & class calendar so that parents can stay on top of what is happening at school. • Make a habit of calling home to report positive behavior. This will also help in building a trusting relationship with families. • Build a strong team at your school site so that you have support when you need resources or ideas to help your students.

9. Have High Expectations! • Despite the challenges young Native American children face as they grow up, they need to be held to the same standard as students who excel academically. • American Indian children will have the ability to perform at a rigorous pace and should be expected to. • Native parents are raising their children to graduate college, and the attitude of their teacher should correlate. • Students should be prepared to face the responsibilities of college!