Indian Education News & Updates
29 March 2019
Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and Kickapoo Tribe Cultural Sharing Night
The Indian Ed. Program would like to invite everyone to Alcott Middle School (1919 W Boyd St.) on April 11th, Thursday from 6:00pm—8:00pm for our Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and Kickapoo Tribe Cultural Sharing Night. Presentations and activities will take place inside the gym and go from 6:15 pm to 8pm.
- Welcome & potluck dinner
- Tribal presentations
- Tribal resources
If you would like to bring a dish or help in any way, please let us know. E-mail tgoade@norman.k12.ok.us or call our office at (405) 366-5809.
Indian Education Program Needs Assessment Survey
Please take a minute to complete the Indian Education Program Needs Assessment survey.
Your feedback is important as we plan for the 2019-2020 school year.
1st Annual Youth Powwow
The Native American Clubs need your help with donations. If you are able to provide any raffle items, cakes/baked goods, or have any questions please contact Zac Grimes at zgrimes@norman.k12.ok.us or (918) 304-1215.
If you need to contact a vendor please contact Leslie Kihega at lesliekihega@gmail.com, (405) 887-4901 or Mike Kihega at michaelkihega70@gmail.com, (405) 887-2690.
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Mini Festival and Presentations
The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Education Department have concluded their presentations in our schools. Cleveland, Jackson, McKinley, Reagan, Roosevelt, Truman, Washington, Wilson, Dimensions South, Longfellow and Whittier Middle Schools, Dimensions North, Norman High, and Norman North. This is part of our efforts to introduce and educate all students in our district about the history and cultures of our Indian people. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Education team presented on Tribal Regalia, the significance of the Eagle, the Buffalo Box, and Language/C&A TV Program at these schools.
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Membership Drive
Have a high school student interested in STEM? Membership for AISES is currently free. Membership provides them notifications and opportunities to apply for scholarships and other tips to get ready for college, plus learning about other Natives in STEM.
OU is hosting the AISES Regional Conference on Saturday, March 30. The conference is free and there will be workshops to attend. The conference will run 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and then the OU Powwow will be that evening if you would like to attend.
For more information follow this link: http://www.aises.org/news/events/region-4-conference
Haskell Indian Nations University Campus Visit
We can set up a Kansas University campus visit if we have any students interested in attending KU as well.
Red Earth Art Competition
Native youth ages 9-18 from throughout Oklahoma and the region are invited to participate in the Red Earth Youth Art Show & Competition scheduled May 17-19, 2019 at the OKC Outlets, 7624 West Reno Avenue in Oklahoma City.
Artwork and registration is due on May 17th, Friday between 1–6pm.
Prize money is awarded to the top three winners in each division category, along with a "Best of Show" award.
More information, including the registration form, can be found here: https://www.redearth.org/red-earth-festival/youth-art-competition/
Intertribal Hymn Singing
The Intertribal Hymn Singing is part of the Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair (ONALYF).
The event was created to encourage all ages to learn tribal languages. Songs are important parts of our peoples heritage. It is a great opportunity to sing and
hear songs in different Native Languages.
2018 Chickasaw Camps, Clinics & Academies
A list of these opportunities can be found by clicking here.
Stickball Teams
The Chickasaw Nation provides:
- Team specific jerseys
- A limited number of sticks to be borrowed for practice and games
- A limited number of transportation to games
- Practice sites available for Ada and Norman area players
More information and the Chikasha Toli application can be found by clicking here.
Contact Info:
If you would like to play Chikasha Bak Bak (youth stickball games), please contact Amber Fox at (580) 310-9536 ext. 62340
If you would like to play Chikasha Toli (adult team), please contact Clovis Hamilton at (580) 272-5592 ext. 63262.
Chipota Chikashshanompoli - Children Speaking Chickasaw Language Club
- Must be a Chickasaw citizen
- For ages 4-14
- 6-8pm
- Food and drinks provided
- Possible entry into the Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair
- Possibly perform at various tribal events.
- Contact - Sheina Wind: (580) 436-7258, Sheina.Wind@Chickasaw.net or Clovis Hamilton: (580) 272-5592, Clovis.Hamilton@Chickasaw.net
4th Grade - Battle of the Books
This reading competition is for all Native 4th grade students. Students are encouraged to read 15 of the 2019 Sequoyah Oklahoma Library Association books and the list can be accessed by clicking here.
If you are a parent of a 4th grader, please encourage your student to choose these books to read before the competition. If you would like to help with a book club at your child's school, please contact our office. We need team sponsors and volunteers for our annual Battle.
Important Dates
Sunday, March 31 - 1st Annual Youth Powwow
Monday, April 1 - Native American Youth Language Fair Day 1, Pre-K–5th grade
Tuesday, April 2 - Native American Youth Language Fair Day 2, 6th–12th grade
Thursday, April 11 - Absentee-Shawnee, Citizen Potawatomi, and Kickapoo Tribe Cultural Sharing Night
Friday, April 12 - U.S. National Cyber Talent Search registration deadline
Saturday, April 13 - ACT Test date
Friday, May 3 - ACT Registration deadline
Tuesday, May 7 - Battle of the Books
Friday, May 17 - Red Earth Youth Art Competition registration (1–6pm)
Saturday, May 18 - Red Earth Youth Art Show Day 1 (10–5pm)
Sunday, May 19 - Red Earth Youth Art Show Day 2 (11–3pm)
Tuesday, May 21 - Senior Recognition Night
Thursday, May 23 - Last Day of School
Saturday, June 8 - ACT Test Date
Book Lists
A great list of books can be found by clicking here.
For elementary or middle school readers, a great list can be found by clicking here.
Indian Ed. Highlights
If you have an accomplishment for a Native student that you would like for us to highlight, please submit it to jhuynh@norman.k12.ok.us.
Indian Education Staff
Office Staff - (405) 366-5809
Lucyann Harjo, Coordinator - lharjo2@norman.k12.ok.usTiffany Goade, Secretary - tgoade@norman.k12.ok.us
Patricia Valley, Student & Family Advocate - pvalley@norman.k12.ok.us
Elementary Staff
Rebecca Benton - Kennedy, Lincoln - rbenton@norman.k12.ok.us
Jennifer Davis, Reading Specialist - Jackson, Monroe, Reagan - jenniferd3@norman.k12.ok.us
Tvlwv Moffer - Adams, Lakeview, Monroe - tmoffer@norman.k12.ok.us
Karen Monk - Jefferson, Madison - kmonk@norman.k12.ok.us
Christie Remualdo - Cleveland, McKinley, Truman, Truman Primary, Wilson - christier@norman.k12.ok.us
Dee Ann Rodkey - Eisenhower, Reagan, Roosevelt, Washington - deeannr@norman.k12.ok.us
Middle School Staff
Stephen Hinkle, Reading Specialist - Irving - shinkle@norman.k12.ok.us / (405) 410-2090 (text)
John Huynh - Alcott, Longfellow - jhuynh@norman.k12.ok.us / (405) 759-0346
Wendi Schovanec - Whittier - wendis2@norman.k12.ok.us
High School Staff
Zac Grimes - zgrimes@norman.k12.ok.us
Martin Perez - martinp@norman.k12.ok.us
Connor Edwards - connore@norman.k12.ok.us
Melinda Coburn - Dimensions and Special Sites - melindac@norman.k12.ok.us
About us
Email: lharjo2@norman.k12.ok.us
Website: https://www.normanpublicschools.org/Page/133
Location: 4100 North Flood Avenue, Norman, OK, USA
Phone: (405) 366-5809
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/normanindianedparents/