Students at Mt. Pleasant Public Schools have an opportunity to take new elective course this year designed to promote greater understanding of Indigenous culture.

The course is open to all students in grades 9-12.

The elective course, called “Education for Everyone: Native Ways of Knowing,” immerses students in Anishinaabe culture, history, art, language and stories. The course features hands-on activities and experiential learning, including field trips and guest speakers.

“Mt. Pleasant Public Schools is committed to providing our students with an exceptional education that embraces our rich cultural heritage and honors the lived experiences and history of the Saginaw Indian Chippewa Tribe,” MPPS Superintendent Jennifer Verleger said.

“MPPS is excited to offer ‘Native Ways of Knowing’ to our students and we’re very grateful to our partners who have helped us bring this program to life. ‘Native Ways of Knowing’ embodies our community’s strong spirit of collaboration and partnership that can bring people together and celebrate our shared humanity.”

The course was developed through a collaboration between the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Central Michigan University and Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College. The course was funded through a Michigan Department of Education EXPLORE grant, which is designed to encourage students to become educators. Part of the MPPS project’s goal is to also inspire Indigenous students to consider careers in education. More than 230 Indigenous 5th- to 12th-grade students from MPPS and Saginaw Chippewa schools also provided input.

Dedicated educators and community leaders who contributed to the development and implementation of the course include Christina Sharp, director of education, Wiimaajiikwad, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe; Nix Henry, SCIT curriculum coordinator; Amy Ford, CMU teacher educator; and Alicia Haley, GYO (Grow Your Own) Partnership Coordinator at MPPS.

“This program goes beyond traditional schooling – it represents a crucial leap toward empowering Native youth and intertwining the vibrant culture and history of the Anishinaabek people into the MPPS curriculum,” Sharp said. “It will be exciting to see all students, including Native students, envisioning themselves as future leaders in the field of education.”

Veteran Mt. Pleasant High School teacher Margie Dexter and CMU Indigenous education specialist Judy Pamp will teach the course.

By:  Morning Sun