PULLMAN, Wash. – WSU Pullman is hosting the Indigenous Education Institute June 19-23.
The inaugural institute is part of the Ti’tooqan Cuukweneewit project, which received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Indian Education (OIE). The purpose of the grant, in collaboration with area Indigenous nations, education departments, language immersion nests and public school districts, is to support the recruitment and hiring of native teachers and school administrators, as well as provide training for those in professions that serve American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.
Each day of the institute provides a unique focus on indigenous education and indigenous ways of knowing (epistemology, pedagogy, ontology and axiology), meant to enhance and support participants’ respective preparation programs.
Project director Renee Holt (Diné/Nimiipuu) said the institute is a critical component that creates relationships between tribal nations that signed a WSU Memorandum of Understanding. The Titooqan Cuukweneewit preparation program is inaugural in that it has been created exclusively for Indigenous educators serving their tribal communities.
“Indigenous researchers have proven that indigenous communities know best how to identify challenges and opportunities for teachers and education administrators from their home communities,” Holt said. “Through the inaugural institute this week, as well as the overall grant, we will be working to ensure these individuals receive the mentoring, financial support, and opportunities using culturally sustaining pedagogies.”
Holt is directing the Ti’tooqan Cuukweneewit project through WSU’s Clearinghouse on Native Teaching and Learning.
Media Contact: Renee Holt, director, Clearninghouse on Native Teaching & Learning, 509-335-3478, rcholt@wsu.edu