American Indian Parent Advisory Committee to celebrate Native American Heritage Month

American Indian Parent Advisory Committee to celebrate Native American Heritage Month

The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee at Winona Area Public Schools is inviting the community to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

November is Native American Heritage Month. It is also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

Here are some of the resources and events AIPAC would like to share with the community. This post will be updated throughout the month with more events and resources.

Events

Using art and culture as a way to help cope with tragedy, grief and loss among our school age students

  • When: 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18
  • Where: Zoom. 
  • Event description: William “Bill” Brien, is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota. Brien is also a descendant from the Cut Head Band of Dakotah, from the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota. Brien is a self taught artist and his chosen medium is digital art and creates all his work using his cell phone. Log on and listen as he shares his story and talent. This event is sponsored by the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee.
  • More information: See the flyer

'Dodging Bullets' film screening

  • When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.
  • Where: Zoom. For the Zoom link, click here.
  • Event description: “Dodging Bullets confronts Historical Trauma head-on through interviews and discussions with young Native Americans whose lives are stricken by the effects of Historical Trauma. The film explores research by professionals whose work helps develop a better understanding of Trauma, how it relates to Native Americans specifically and provides insight into ways we can improve the outcomes of Native people dealing with these challenges.”
  • A short discussion/debrief will follow the movie.
  • View trailer: https://dodgingbullets.org/dodging-bullets-trailer/

Since the Beginning(s): Native American Oral Traditions and Art

Other Resources

Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgement: Acknowledgement, the document says, "can be an opening to a greater public consciousness of Native sovereignty and cultural rights, a step toward equitable relationship and reconciliation."

Our Home: Native Minnesota: Learn about Native communities in Minnesota, including stories of survival, resiliency, and adaptation at the Minnesota History Center.

Why Treaties Matter: Today, treaties continue to affirm the inherent sovereignty of American Indian nations. Tribal governments maintain nation-to-nation relationships with the United States government. Tribal nations manage lands, resources, and economies, protect people, and build more secure futures for generations to come.

Treaty Timeline: Most of the land that is now Minnesota was ceded to the U.S. by Ojibwe and Dakota people in a series of treaties over a 30-year period (1837-1867). 

Links for Native American students and families