Conference aids Indian education

By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer | Tuesday, September 19, 2006

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RAPID CITY -- The South Dakota Department of Education will host its annual Indian Education Summit Sunday through Tuesday, Sept. 24-26, at Ramkota Hotel in Pierre. The cost is $75 per person.

Principal Jeanne Burckhard of Rapid City's North Middle School will send a team of teachers to the summit, including school counselor Paula Long Fox.

Burckhard said the summit connects with other tribal school leaders and teachers to address issues and pool resources. Fifty percent to 60 percent of American Indian children constitute North Middle School's student population.

"The really good thing is we're building bridges between the reservation schools and our schools," Burckhard said.

To prepare for the summit, North Middle school teachers have toured reservation schools, shared workshop opportunities and connected with tribal universities to learn about the Lakota culture and language, she said.

"While at the summit, we discuss educational concerns and where we need to go as a state," Burckhard said.

The theme of the summit is "Our Voice, Your Voice, One Voice." Keith Moore, director of Indian education for the South Dakota Department of Education, said the conference is about bringing all voices - state, tribes, Bureau of Indian Affairs and individual school districts - together for the benefit of Indian students.

Indian students account for 10 percent of enrollment at South Dakota's public schools. Indians face unique challenges within the education system, Moore said.

The conference opens with an evening speech by Gov. Mike Rounds. Other speakers include Jim Littlejohn; James Lowen, author of "Lies My Teacher Told Me about Native Americans"; Ryan Wilson, president of the National Indian Education Association; and Jeff Johnson of the U.S. Department of Education.

Breakout-session topics include involving elders and parents in schools, developing healthy children, teacher recruitment and quality, and Lakota language revitalization.

For a complete agenda or to register online, go to www.doe.sd.gov and click on Indian Education Summit.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com