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Indian education program highlights cultural curriculum, Ojibwe language and experiential learning
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Summary
District presenters described the Indian education program serving 1,116 students (Oct. 1), cultural curriculum integration (Ojibwe language classes, wild rice camp, maple sugaring, snow-snake competition), and staffing needs including an open academic advisor role.
Sonia Wadena and Jamie Copenies updated the Bemidji Public School District board Oct. 20 on the district’s Indian education program, detailing staff roles, enrollment and culturally grounded learning experiences.
Wadena said the district’s total enrollment as of Oct. 1 was 4,607 and that the Indian education count was 1,116 students (about 24.22%, down from 27.7% in previous years). She outlined program staffing: an Indian education program coordinator, administrative assistant, cultural curriculum specialist, academic advisors, Ojibwe language teachers across grade levels, and homeschool liaisons. Wadena said roles are supplemental and meant to add cultural and academic supports beyond standard classroom services.
Jamie Copenies, the district’s American Indian culture and curriculum specialist, described classroom supports and professional development offered to teachers, including workshops that qualify for relicensure credit and culturally integrated lessons such as "wisdom weaving" into math and a STEAM-and-culture cohort. She highlighted experiential activities: wild rice camp, maple sugaring, bandolier-bag projects, ribbon skirt and ribbon-shirt making, and a snow-snake competition that engages families and students. Copenies noted the district has added academic advising at the high-school level with promising indicators in math and English; an academic-advisor role at the middle-school level remains open.
Board members thanked the presenters and asked clarifying questions about how activities align with standards. One board member commended the balance between cultural experiences and academic rigor; presenters said those activities explicitly connect to science and standards-based inquiry. The program’s staff requested referrals for the open advisor position and emphasized the program serves both American Indian students and the broader student body through shared learning experiences.
The board did not take action on this informational item. Presenters said they will continue staff development offerings and outreach to fill open positions.
