Indigenous Education: Cultural Revitalization in Native American Catholic Schools

(1 Credit Hour) · Undergraduate

This course will focus on the history of Indigenous education and the modern Native schooling experience. Indigenous communities are revitalizing their cultural traditions and knowledge in diverse ways through innovative educational practices. However, too often stories highlighting this meaningful exchange of teaching and learning go undertold. The course will provide ample opportunities to learn from such communities and individuals carrying out this type of transformational education through both class meetings and an immersion trip. Priority topics for exploration include truth and healing, Indigenous language revitalization, the intersection of Lakota culture and Catholic identity in a school, food sovereignty, and other relevant themes. The full experience will consist of five in-person meetings and an immersion trip over Fall Break to Maȟpíya Lúta - Red Cloud school in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. The immersion component is a unique opportunity to spend time with and learn from educators and students in a Native American Catholic school.