Indian Township School

Subject: Celebrating the Season with Gratitude and Wabanaki Spirit

Dear Maine Indian Education Family,

As the winter solstice approaches and the snow blankets the Wabanaki ancestral lands, I am moved to reflect on the profound dedication and spirit each of you brings to our educational community. Like the sacred birch that bends but never breaks in winter storms, you have shown remarkable resilience and strength throughout this year.

In Wabanaki tradition, winter is a time of storytelling, of gathering close, and of passing wisdom from one generation to the next. Each of you embodies this tradition daily in our classrooms and halls, weaving together modern education with the timeless knowledge of Wabanaki ancestors. Your work honors the Seven Fires of the Wabanaki teachings – wisdom, love, respect, courage, honesty, humility, and truth.

As you celebrate this holiday season with your loved ones, remember that you are part of something greater – a continuing circle of knowledge and nurturing that has sustained the Wabanaki people for countless generations. Whether you gather around the Christmas tree or honor traditional ceremonies, may you feel the warmth of community and the pride of Wabanaki heritage.

Let us take inspiration from the eagle, one of Wabanaki's sacred symbols, who sees both the larger picture and the smallest detail. Your work touches individual students while contributing to the larger vision of preserving and strengthening our Native communities through education.

During this break, I hope you find time for rest and renewal, like the quiet restoration that happens beneath winter's snow. May you return refreshed, carrying the peace of snow-covered pines and the strength of ancient stones in your spirit.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (Woli Nipayimiyan naka Woli Pilikoton).

Dr. Reza Namin,

Superintendent

PS. Thanks to Lynn Mitchell, Adele Moore, and Cante England for their help with this message.

Bureau of Indian Education Behavioral Health and Wellness Program https://www.biebhwp.com

SPRING MARKET Saturday, May 4, 2024 12:00-3:00 39 A Union St, Calais ME 04619 Come and visit some of our finest Wabanaki crofters and bakers.

MIE Receives Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative Award for Grades 6-12 Calais, ME – March 21, 2024 - Maine Indian Education is pleased to announce that the Maine Department of Education has awarded its schools with a Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative (MOLI) award. This award will provide students in grades 6-12 with unique opportunities to engage in cultural experiences and place-based learning, with a strong emphasis on STEM fields. The MOLI award recognizes Maine Indian Education's commitment to providing students with innovative and immersive learning experiences that connect them with their heritage and the natural world around them. By combining cultural knowledge with hands-on STEM education, the program aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for both traditional wisdom and modern scientific principles. Dr. Reza Namin, Superintendent of Maine Indian Education, expressed his enthusiasm for the award, stating, "We are thrilled to receive the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative award. This recognition validates our efforts to create meaningful, culturally relevant educational opportunities for our students. By integrating traditional knowledge with STEM disciplines, we are empowering our youth to become well-rounded, critical thinkers who are prepared to lead and innovate in the 21st century." The MOLI-funded programming will include a range of activities, such as field trips to significant cultural sites, outdoor research projects, and collaborations with tribal elders and STEM professionals. These experiences will not only enhance students' academic knowledge but also strengthen their connection to their community and the environment. "This award opens up a world of possibilities for our students, including our high school students" added Dr. Namin. "By engaging in place-based learning and exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Wabanaki, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot communities, our students will gain a deeper appreciation for their own identity and the importance of preserving and advancing indigenous knowledge. We are excited to see the positive impact this initiative will have on their academic and personal growth."

Dr. Reza Namin, Superintendent of Maine Indian Education provided a testimony as an invited presenter. "The Way Forward", a Final Report of the Alice Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children was released in February of 2024. "The Way Forward", Report of the Alice Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children is available at the site below: https://commissiononnativechildren.org/reports/TheWayForward.pdf The Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children (Commission) transmitted its official and final report and recommendations to the President and Congress as directed by bipartisan legislation Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) ushered into law (Public Law 114-244, as amended by Public Law 117-41) in 2016. Congress created and directed the Commission to conduct an intensive study of federal, tribal, state and local programs and grants available to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children and to make recommendations for how to promote improved outcomes for Native youth. The Commission is named in honor of two advocates for Native children and youth, Alyce Spotted Bear (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation) and Walter Soboleff (Tlingit). Alyce Spotted Bear was a chairwoman of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, an education leader and a cultural historian. Reverend Dr. Walter Soboleff was a spiritual leader for Alaska Native people, a Tlingit educator, and the first Alaska Native Chairman of the Alaska State Board of Education.

Passamaquoddy-Maliseet Language Portal Visit https://pmportal.org

The Bureau of Indian Education provides school staff with access AT NO COST to DirectSTEP® eLearning at https://dc-bie2020-ds.lrp.com. These courses are for all staff including teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, nurse, food staff, PARENTS, etc. Go to https://dc-bie2020-ds.lrp.com and self-register today! The courses are 1 hour and self-paced.

The Bureau of Indian Education provides your school staff with access AT NO COST to DirectSTEP® eLearning (https://dc-bie2020-ds.lrp.com). These courses are for all staff including teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, nurse, food staff, PARENTS, etc. Go to https://dc-bie2020-ds.lrp.com and self-register today! The courses are 1 hour and self-paced.

Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse to our Hotline Check out the links below for more information on what to report, how to file a report, whistleblower protections, and other resources. Click Below to Report Now: https://oighotlineportal.ed.gov/eCasePortal/InvestigationsCaptcha.aspx

Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse to our Hotline The OIG Hotline is available for anyone who knows of or suspects fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or violations of laws and regulations involving U.S. Department of Education funds or programs. This includes allegations of suspected wrongdoing by Department employees, contractors, grantees, schools and school officials, persons in positions of trust involving Department funds or programs, collection agencies, recipients of student financial assistance, or lending institutions. If you have knowledge of any wrongdoing involving Department funds or operations, let us know! Check out the links below for more information on what to report, how to file a report, whistleblower protections, and other resources. Or, click the button below to get started. Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse to our Hotline The OIG Hotline is available for anyone who knows of or suspects fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or violations of laws and regulations involving U.S. Department of Education funds or programs. This includes allegations of suspected wrongdoing by Department employees, contractors, grantees, schools and school officials, persons in positions of trust involving Department funds or programs, collection agencies, recipients of student financial assistance, or lending institutions. If you have knowledge of any wrongdoing involving Department funds or operations, let us know! Check out the links below for more information on what to report, how to file a report, whistleblower protections, and other resources. Or, click the button below to get started. Click Below to Report Now: https://oighotlineportal.ed.gov/eCasePortal/InvestigationsCaptcha.aspx

Indian Township Curriculum and Instruction Page https://www.maineindianeducation.org/o/its/page/curriculum-and-instruction

University of Maine Curriculum and Lesson Plans. https://libguides.library.umaine.edu/Educationguide/curriculum

Waponahki Student Art Show <> We invite you to join us for a private reception to celebrate the opening of the 2023 Waponahki Student Art Show, a collaboration of Maine Indian Education, Maliseet Boys & Girls Club, Houlton Elementary School, Houlton Middle & High School, Houlton Southside School, and the Abbe Museum. Monday, May 8, 2023, at 1:30 pm Abbe Museum 26 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor RSVP at rsvp@abbemuseum.org

Telling Stories That Come to Life Welcome to Lessons of Our Land, an innovative curriculum that enables Pre-K through grade 12 teachers to easily incorporate Native American stories, lessons and games into regular classroom instruction. Learn more at https://www.lessonsofourland.org.

Check out our new app! Download here for iOS: https://apple.co/3gGLieq and Android: https://bit.ly/3gN5MSt It's everything from the Maine Indian Education community and schools, in your pocket.