Native American (Indigenous) history and cultural lifeways. Youth led drumming and singing as music enhancement.
Supporting Native American students to navigate school systems for successful outcomes. Partner to support college and/or career pathway.
Outdoor learning provides an opportunity to share Native American connections to the land, water, plants and animals. It is a nice change from the classroom and a way to engage with students in a meaningful way. What a beautiful day to share some tribal history and lifeways with some fifth graders. I also get to share some Warm Springs/Ichishkin language for animals we may see throughout the day.
06/06/2026
This group of educators was engaged and shared their wonderful insight on books by Native American authors. The opportunity to partner and form ideas for future lessons is empowering. The day also included a stem lesson and a closer look at tribal first foods and their importance to the tribal practices. The Tribal history title can be misleading because there is a lot of discussion of current lifeways. It is important that these educators are taught both to gain a better understanding about the neighboring tribal nations. Our story. Our perspective.
The visit to Powell Butte Charter School was amazing. Gavin drummed, sang, and shared about the history of the hand drum and big drum. We ended the assembly with the serpent/eel dance so the students and teachers could join us in this social dance. A good way to share a little of our tribal lifeways.
11/20/2025
Honor Celilo Falls.
11/19/2025
Very interesting.
Ancient star chart that maps North American skies continues to baffle scientists An ancient Skiri Pawnee star map on elk skin reopens the debate about its true function and challenges Western interpretations.
11/03/2025
Some very meaningful history on the National Congress of American Indians.
November is Native American Heritage Month! 🪶 🌅
In the early 1940s, members of Congress and factions in the federal government began to amass an effort in what historians point to as the beginning of an era: The Termination Era. The attempts to completely terminate federally recognized Tribal Nations that characterized this time period became the greatest threat to Tribal sovereignty in the 20th century.
In response to this imminent threat of termination, nearly 80 delegates from 50 Tribal Nations and associations in 27 states came together in Denver, Colorado, in 1944 to establish the National Congress of American Indians. By the following year, membership had risen to more than 300, claiming members from nearly every Tribal Nation in the United States. To this day, protecting these inherent and legal rights remains the primary focus of NCAI.
Image: National Congress of American Indians charter Members at the Constitutional Convention Cosmopolitan Hotel, Denver, Colorado, November 15-18, 1944
Left to Right, Front Row:
Edward Cata, San Juan Pueblo
Stephen C. De Mers, Flathead
George Kenote, Menominee
William Fire Thunder, Sioux
Basil Two Bear, Sioux
Martin T. Cross, Gros Ventre
William W. Short, Chickasaw
George La Motte, Chippewa
Roy E. Gourd, Cherokee
Judge N.B.Johnson, Cherokee
Ben Dwight, Choctaw
Erma Hicks, Cherokee
Albert Attocknie, Comanche
George LaVatta, Shoshone-Bannock
Jesse Rowlodge, Cheyenne-Arapaho
Ed Davenport, Fox
John Dick, Chippewa
Luke Gilbert, Sioux
Henry Throssel, Papago
Fred Mahone, Walapai
Grant Iron Lightning, Sioux
Roly Canard, Creek
Middle Row:
Perry Kennerly, Blackfeet
Paul Pins, Osage
Harry Red Eagle, Osage
John Whitehorn, Osage
Steven Vicenti, Jicarilla Apache
Laell Vicenti,Jicarilla Apache
Sam Burch, Southern Ute
Paul LeGarde, Chippewa
Conner Chappoose, Ute
George Eastman, Sioux
Raymond Graham, Western Shoshone
J.P.James, Creek
David Dozier, Santa Clara Pueblo
Charles E.J. Heacock, Sioux
Archie Phinney, Nez Perce
Joshua Spottedhorse, Sioux
Leona Locust, Cherokee
Clara Spottedhorse, Sioux
Margaret Onefield Richard, Sioux
Beulah M. Abbott, Choctaw
Hazel Christian
Lawrence Appah, Ute
Howard Soonay, Kiowa-Comanche
Back Row:
Andrew Dunlap, Caddo
Henry Standing Bear, Sioux
Walter S. Kim mel, Sioux
Ben Chosa, Chippewa
D’Arcy McNickle, Flathead
Peru W. Farver, Choctaw
John B. Milam, Cherokee
John Max, Sioux
SimonJ. Kirk, Sioux
Frank Bear, Winnebago
Edward L. Rogers, Chippewa
Cornelius S. Aaron, Mohegan
Albert A. Exendine, Delaware
James Dougomah, Kiowa
Dan Madrano, Caddo
Don Whistler, Sauk
Eugene Fisher, Cheyenne
Richard J. Cryer, Potawatomi
Arvid E. Miller, Stockbridge-Munsee
Francis Issues, Northern Cheyenne
James Hawkins, Sioux
Lois Harlan, Cherokee
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
NCAI congratulates William “Billy” Kirkland III (Navajo) on his confirmation to serve as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. This is a well-deserved recognition of his commitment and leadership to Tribes and Tribal members throughout the country. NCAI looks forward to his swearing in and the important work to follow. His service will be vital in strengthening tribal sovereignty, advancing self-determination, and supporting Native communities across the nation.
Read the statement here: https://www.ncai.org/news/ncai-congratulates-william-billy-kirkland-iii-on-his-confirmation
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