Events: Talks on “Settler Social Studies” and Native Mascots; Winter Coat Drive; and Historical Trauma Training

In this blog:

• “Settler Social Studies” Presentation: Efforts to Erase Indigenous Peoples from the K-12 Curriculum
  
• Winter Coat Drive organized by the Native American Community Clinic
  
• Documentary and Discussion on Native Mascots
  
• Training: From Historical Trauma to Indigenous Cultural Resilience — Understanding Collective Transformation and the Path Forward

“Settler Social Studies:” Efforts to Erase Indigenous Peoples from the K-12 Curriculum

Tomorrow, Friday, Oct, 26, Dr. Sarah Shear will speak on how colonialism is embedded in the K-12 social studies curriculum and efforts to make curriculum changes. The Brown Bag lunch is hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Curriculum and Instruction Diversity Dialogue Series. It will be held noon-1 :30 p.m. in Room 355 Peik Hall, 159 Pillsbury Drive Southeast, Minneapolis.

According to publicity: Dr. Shear will “take a critical look at the presence of settler colonialism in K-12 social studies education. Specifically, Dr. Shear will share learnings from two national studies on the representations of Indigenous peoples and nations in state-mandated content standards. In addition, Dr. Shear will address her current work in examining the foundations for settler colonial thought in elementary social studies textbooks. She will close with highlighting how some states and organizations are working to address these curricular problems.”

Winter Coat Drive organized by the Native American Community Clinic

The Native American Community Clinic is organizing a winter clothing drive (gently used winter coats and other winter gear) from now until Nov. 21. You can drop items off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Clinic, 1213 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis.

For more information, contact Erica at 612-843-5925.

Documentary and Discussion on Native Mascots Tuesday, Oct. 30

The University of Minnesota’s Department of Indian Studies is co-hosting a screening of the documentary “More than a Word” Tuesday, Oct. 30, at noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Mayo Building Auditorium, 420 Delaware Street, SE, Minneapolis. (Come at 11:30 a.m. if you want to have lunch.)

According to the film’s publicity: “More Than A Word analyzes the Washington football team and their use of the derogatory term R*dskins. Using interviews from both those in favor of changing the name and those against, More Than A Word presents a deeper analysis of the many issues surrounding the Washington team name. The documentary also examines the history of Native American cultural appropriation.”

A panel discussion will follow the film, featuring one of the filmmakers, John Little, a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Other panelists include Charissa Blue-Downs (citizen of the Dakota Nation – Upper Sioux Community) who is an advisor for MLK Advising/American Indian Studies, a University of Minnesota undergraduate student (TBA), and Vince Diaz, American Indian Studies department faculty.

The College of Liberal Arts Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program also is co-sponsoring the event.

Training: From Historical Trauma to Indigenous Cultural Resilience Friday, Nov. 2 — Understanding Collective Transformation and the Path Forward

Nancy Bordeaux is offering a day-long training on historical trauma and healing on Friday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Building, 1308 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404. Contact Nancy at Indigenoushealing1@gmail.com for registration and fee information.

Here is a workshop description:

Indigenous People have experienced historical trauma for over five hundred years in their homeland. Colonialism and genocide challenged the very existence of indigenous peoples. …

Indigenous cultural resilience mobilizes recovery from historical trauma. Historical trauma education offers a way to experience and process the history of trauma and to understand the continuation of trauma and pain throughout the generations. This knowledge informs trauma healing today.

We as Indigenous Peoples continue to recover from the adverse impacts of historical trauma, we seek, find, and endeavor to release those parts of us that trauma has long held captive, we stir and awaken a healing part of us which has been suppressed for many, many generations.

This training is intended to highlight the importance of cultural-based knowledge and skills for trauma recovery and resilience. It can expand the healing worldview of participants. Healing concepts to guide hands on methods and techniques for health and wellbeing will be demonstrated through interactive participation.  This training is designed to bridge the gap from the effects of historical trauma to cultural resilience.

Everyone is welcome.