American Indian Education

Districts, charter schools and tribal schools that report an American Indian student count of 20 or more to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) must submit to MDE an American Indian Plan. The Plan details district efforts to:

Support postsecondary preparation for pupils;
Support the academic achievement of American Indian students;
Make curriculum relevant to the needs, interests, and cultural heritage of American Indian pupils;
Provide positive reinforcement of the self-image of American Indian pupils;
Develop intercultural awareness among pupils, parents, and staff; and
Supplement (not supplant) state and federal educational and cocurricular programs.

If your student or family identifies as North American Indian, please reach out to Kristina Mitberg (320) 616-6233 or kmitberg@lfalls.k12.mn.us, American Indian Education staff, to learn more about available programming and support.

23-24 American Indian Education Plan and Aid Application

Bilingual Seal Program

The Bilingual Seal Program is offered in Ojibwe and Dakota. Please let the AIE Coordinator if your student is interested in receiving their Bilingual Seal.

AIEA Calendar

College Resources

Learning Activities

Aandeg and Makwa - An Ojibwe story about Crow and Bear. a video by Boozhoo Nanaboozhoo (Michael Lyons)
Anishinaabemowin ABCs - Learn Ojibwe! Wanda Barker reads her Anishinaabemowin alphabet book
Anishinaabemowin ABC Song - Anishinaabemowin alphabet sounds song
"Bowwow Powwow" by Brenda Child (Ojibwe Version)
Dakota Language App
LFIndianEducation Library
NENDA-GIKENDAMANG NINGO-BIBOONAGAK. (We Seek To Learn Throughout the Year) An interactive online learning program for students birth through grade 8
Ojibwe People's Dictionary
Ojibwe Storytelling Series - Winter is Storytelling Season in Ojibwe culture. The Wisconsin Historical Society is celebrating winter by featuring Ojibwe storytellers. This is free. The current session runs in a four-part virtual series every Tuesday evening at 7 pm from Jan. 9-30, 2024. Follow the link to also find past series
Skywoman and Turtle Island by Autumn Whiteway. - A creation story
The History People - Ojibwe Learning Guide by the St. Louis County (MN) Historical Society

Teacher Resources

Bdote Memory Map - This beginning resource for understanding more about the Dakota people's relationship to Minnesota. Try traveling the directions in a traditional way - East (We Are Home), South (Dakota Greeting), West Mnisota: A Dakota Place) and then North for the core of the site - the Memory Map
Curriculum, lesson plans, Ojibwe and Dakota language learning from ISD 622
Everyday Native - This resource is designed to enhance the study of many subject areas, including Language Arts, Native American History, U.S. History, Social Studies, Current Events, Photography, Poetry and Art. It was created to help bridge the gap of understanding that is held about Native Americans by non-Indians.
It emphasizes the everyday life of Native Americans as opposed to popular stereotypes created by movies, TV, books and news media.This resource is for teachers and students in grades 4-12 to learn about and reflect on Native American history and contemporary life.
LFIndianEducation Library
Ojibwe People's Dictionary
The History People - Ojibwe Learning Guide by the St. Louis County (MN) Historical Society.
Understand Native MN - Understand Native Minnesota is a multifaceted strategic initiative and philanthropic campaign focused on Native American narrative change in Minnesota’s schools. This campaign aims to improve public attitudes toward Native Americans by incorporating greater awareness and sensitive treatment of Native Americans, along with accurate information about their history, culture, and modern tribal governments into Minnesota’s K-12 education system.
http://treatiesmatter.org.