JASA SANTOS Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 12:00 am
Members of the Wyoming School Boards Association voted Wednesday to table a resolution that would have recommended the state mandate all school districts teach American Indian education, including the history and culture of Wyoming's tribes.
At the meeting in Casper, delegates voiced concerns about the resolution, including how it would be funded, what curriculum would be used and how a state mandated initiative would affect local control.
"I don't think as a body we should be trying to encourage the Legislature to tell us what our curriculum looks like," said Janine Teske, vice chairman of the Teton County school board.
Delegates who proposed the resolution maintained the importance of having accurate information for students and teachers about American Indian people.
"The cultural contributions of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes of this region can not be underestimated," said Sandra C'Bearing, the clerk for Fremont County School District 14.
C'Bearing was just one of eight people who submitted an amended resolution to the state association, which originated with Michelle Hoffman, the superintendent of Fremont 14.
The Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone business councils also supported the resolution. The goals of the amended resolution included:
* Collaborating with the Wind River Reservation to consult, teach and develop educational materials;
* Providing all Wyoming teachers with basic knowledge of tribal histories;
* Developing a pool of resources for teachers, including curriculum; and
* Having all Wyoming citizens develop an understanding of, respect for and appreciation for all people in the state.
"This is a journey, not a destination," said Vonda Wells, one of the resolution's proposers. "We did understand there is going to be work that needs to be done."
A committee will continue work on the resolution.
"This is an important issue," said Gregg Blikre, the association's president-elect. "We need to do it right."
Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at jasa.santos@trib.com. Read her blog at my.trib.com/jasasantos.