Posted June 30, 2010

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has announced a series of training workshops to be held next month on a new Tribal sovereignty curriculum that will be available to school districts around the state.

Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State is an online curriculum developed through the OSPI Indian Education/Title I Office. The curriculum, pilot tested for the past two years in 14 schools in the state, will offer a menu of Tribal sovereignty information, short lessons and entire units for every Washington State History and Contemporary World Problems unit recommended by OSPI.

Under HB 1495, approved in 2005, school districts in Washington are encouraged to “incorporate curricula about the history, culture and government of the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe or tribes, so that students learn about the unique heritage and experience of their closest neighbors.”

The new web-based Tribal sovereignty curriculum is endorsed by OSPI and Washington’s federally recognized tribes.

Seven workshops will be offered in August.

• Aug. 2 – Little Creek Hotel Resort/Casino, Shelton

• Aug. 3 – Suquamish Tribe’s Kiana Lodge, Poulsbo

• Aug. 4 – Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Community Center, Sequim

• Aug. 9 – Muckleshoot Tribal School, Auburn

• Aug. 11 – Tulalip Tribes Administration Building, Tulalip

• Aug. 16 – Northern Quest Resort, Airway Heights

• Aug. 18 – Heritage University, Toppenish

There is no charge to attend, but participation is limited to 40 people per workshop and advance registration is required.

For more information and a registration form, visit www.k12.wa.us/IndianEd  or contact Joan Banker at 360.725.6160 or joan.banker@k12.wa.us.

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