Community advocate urges Dakota language course; board approves new course proposals
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Summary
A parent and the district’s academic staff pushed for formal adoption of a Dakota language and culture course; the board approved that course and two unified-program classes along with several course description updates.
During public comment at the Nov. 17 Shakopee school board meeting, Marlene Bad Warrior — identified as chair of the Native American parent committee — urged the board to approve a Dakota language and culture course, saying it would help restore language and culture lost through boarding school-era policies and show that the district values Indigenous students’ identities.
"My name is Marlene Bad Warrior...Thank you board members and administration for hearing my words this evening in support of the Dakota language and culture course approval into the curriculum," she said.
Later in the meeting, Sarah Wearwood, assistant director of LPEs, presented three new course proposals and several course revisions. Regarding the Dakota course she said the offering is "not just for native students; it's for any student who's interested in understanding more about Dakota language and culture," and that the district plans to source instructors from community experts or qualified staff.
Board members asked practical questions about who would teach the course and whether community experts could be contracted; Wearwood said the district could hire or contract community experts and also had staff qualified to teach. The board moved and approved the set of course proposals, which also included Unified Art and Unified Robotics and some pathway and title updates for AP Spanish and other courses.
Administrators said next steps include staffing plans and scheduling the new courses for implementation in upcoming semesters.