people , what our Indian people have gone through over the centuries and the trauma that has the results of all the historical laws and policies that have come down and impacted each tribal nation ,” Harjo said . While most of the services Indian Education provides are specifically for the Indian students who are enrolled in the program , Valley noted that many of the cultural events are open to the public , and they encourage all people in the community to learn from such events .
“ A lot of our focus is the Native student , but we are welcoming to non Natives as well . Because that kind of knowledge , for the non Native , is equally important . I just think more education and sensitivity and appreciation of the Native culture is essential for the entire community , for the state , for that matter ,” Valley said .
A 2nd grade NPS student in Indian Education program visits OU College of Education .
Another tutor , Denessa LittleAxe , who completed both a bachelor ’ s and master ’ s degree in Native American Studies at OU , has been working with Indian Education since 2019 , and in addition to the tutoring work , she travels between the two Norman high schools to teach an elective course : A Study of the 39 Tribes .
LittleAxe , whose tribal affiliations include Prairie Band Potawatomi , Absentee Shawnee and Pawnee , explained that when tutoring , she is only working with Native students , but when teaching the elective class , her students are of all races and backgrounds , some who have little to no exposure to tribal cultural .
“ The history is important , but many have heard that . But the culture they don ’ t know . It ’ s been rewarding for me , because I ’ m just getting to talk about stuff that I love , stuff I went to college for , and I get to educate kids ,” LittleAxe said .
Making an Impact on the Broader Community As Harjo explained one of their recent cultural events – in this case a blanket exercise , which is an interactive way of sharing history – that is possible through the program ’ s numerous tribal partnerships , she also explained how this type of event helps people understand tribal history as well as frames culture in a modern context .
“ It ’ s really to help all of us learn the impact and the significance of events that happened that displaced a lot of our
Schovanec explained that many of the program ’ s cultural “ mini lessons ” that they teach in the district ’ s various schools are for all students , because they want everyone to have knowledge of Indian culture . And education , the three colleagues agreed , helps fight against harmful stereotypes and fosters a deeper understanding of Indian history and people .
“ We want to dispel as many of the stereotypes as we can . If we educate them [ non Native students ], take the time to do that while they are in our district they go home and talk to their parents , and maybe their parents learn as well , and we are all excited about that ,” Harjo said .
Moving Forward , Continuing to Serve Although the growth and reach of NPS Indian Education has been impressive in the last 15 years or so , the staff does not shy away from setting and working toward what ’ s next or sharing what they wish people knew more about concerning all their services .
As a tutor , Grimes said , he sometimes sees high school students who are just now enrolling in their program and wishes those people had known about it earlier . He explained that sometimes parents don ’ t want to sign up for the program because they view it more as just financial assistance with school supplies or expenses , and some do not want that .
“ But , we also provide a lot of cultural enrichment activities that the students won ’ t get after high school ,” Grimes said .
Harjo said she wants more people to understand the program ’ s educational reach outside of the schools .
24 NormanMagazine . com | MAY / JUNE 2022