American Indian Education department provides culture-based educational opportunities and programming

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures and histories, as well as the essential contributions of Native people in the over 90 tribal nations represented in Osseo Area Schools. The dedicated staff members in the American Indian Education department work throughout the year to provide culture-based educational programming, both in and out of the classroom. 

Classroom Lessons

Throughout the school year, teachers of American Indian Education visit district schools to organize classroom lessons. On Nov. 17, American Indian Education staff member Jillian Stately visited students at Rice Lake Elementary School. In the lesson, students learned about different medicines, including sage, sweet grass, cedar and tobacco. Students had the opportunity to feel and smell the different medicines and received a small amount to put in a necklace to take with them. 

Beading Club

Mondays from November through February, American Indian Education is hosting a beading club at the Indian Education Cultural Resource Center at North View Middle School. Students, staff, families and community members of all skill levels are welcome. During the beading club, beaders work on projects including brick stitched hoop earrings, a beaded holiday ornament, a wristlet or lanyard, flat stitch earrings, drop loop earrings and loom beading. 

Lacrosse

On Tuesday nights in November and May, students, staff, families and community members are invited to come and learn about traditional lacrosse from American Indian Education staff member Brad Hagen. On Nov. 18, students learned how to score a point in lacrosse, how to play defense and practiced passing and facing off to start the game. 

To learn more about the district American Indian Education program and all they do year-round to empower American Indian students, visit the American Indian Education department website.