Educators look inside Native American culture
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — “There’s still an achievement gap between Native American students and other students,” Julie Cajune said.
Cajune was one of the keynote speakers at the 2012 Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Pupil Instruction Day at Polson High School on Sept. 14. Mike Jetty and Mike Beers were the other two keynoters.
Problems such as achievement gaps and attendance are discussed at this PIR day. Cajune said she had given Indian students alarm clocks and taught them how to use them. Sometimes, she said, she even shows up at the student’s home to make sure he or she gets to school.
The PIR day is structured so educators can get a “rare look inside many tribal topic,” a press release from Rob McDonald, CSKT information officer said.
Organized by Penny Kipp, Dana Hewankorn, Beverly Michel of the CSKT Tribal Education Department, the PIR day pulls teachers from every school on the Flathead Reservation to learn more about the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
With five 45-minute sessions to chose from, teachers can pick from at least 40 presentations such as animal crossing with tribal biologist Whisper Camel, beading with Rachel Bowers, native games with Paul Phillips, jump dances with Vernon Finley, current events with Rob McDonald and tribal history and Indian education for all with Tony Incashola and Mike Jetty.
Teachers polled said they learned a lot from the powwow, school garden, tribal history and native games presentations. Overall the teachers rated the PIR day well.
About 500 educators and administrators attended the PIR Day.
