Relationships are the foundation for transformational change. What happens when Leaders in Native Education from across the region come together to collaborate, exchange practices, and build connections?
Nearly forty leaders in Native Education from Alaska, Oregon, and Washington came together at the Leaders in Native Education Convening this August in Juneau, Alaska.
This event is the third in the Leaders in Native Education series. This community of action was proposed by the Region 16 Washington Tribal Advisory Board and is sustained by the facilitation and participation of leaders regionwide.
“All of us are trying to find ways to support our Native students and their families,” said Will Makoyiisaaminaa (Nelson) (Blackfeet Nation), superintendent of La Conner School District. “This gave us an opportunity to network, learn from one another, uplift each other’s work, ask really specific questions about strategies and approaches, and learn and think about how we might operationalize those ideas and strategies in our own system.”
Leaders represent dozens of Tribal, state, and local agencies, and organizations. Over the course of the weekend, leaders brought their expertise and perspectives to 12 discussion sessions on key topics impacting Native students, educators, and communities.
Attendees also participated in activities that grounded them in place and in the culture of the peoples who have lived in Juneau since time immemorial. Nancy Douglas (Tlingit/Nisga’a) and Shgen George (Tlingit), both of TIDES Education Associates, were instrumental in redesigning the convening structure to include a day of cultural activities.
Leaders left ready to continue key conversations, develop new resources, and deepen regional connections. Region 16 plans to continue the series this winter.
The Leaders in Native Education Convening is part of the 2022–23 Regional Service Plan. Learn more about our regional project and r16cc.org/projects/.