Indian Education Summer Teaching Institute at WVC at Omak July 26-28

Media Contact: N. Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, coordinator, 509.322.7718; Dr. Carli Schiffner, vice president of instruction, 509.682.6606; or Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509.682.6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

February 17, 2016

Event website: www.wvc.edu/WATribalHistorySTI

Wenatchee Valley College Omak, in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, local school districts, and regional/state and community leaders, will host the 2016 Washington State Indian Education Summer Teaching Institute, sqlxʷsmʼaʔmʼáyʼaʔm (Nsəlxcin), or “The People’s Story” July 26, 27 and 28.

Washington state teachers, administrators, curriculum and school board directors are invited to register for the teaching institute. The registration fee is $75. Registration begins March 1 and is available at www.ced.wvc.edu. Institute sessions will take place on the WVC at Omak campus and partnering school districts on or adjacent to the Colville Indian Reservation.

The Summer Teaching Institute is designed to support Washington state schools as they implement Washington State Senate Bill SB 5433 2015-16. The bill mandates that Washington’s tribal history, culture and governance be taught in common schools by 2016-17.

The institute will provide master teachers with training and instruction in Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State curriculum, which is available on OSPI’s website at no cost to school districts. The institute will offer educators CEUs, clock hours and college credit. The institute will also include a film and culture night.

“The importance of teaching Since Time Immemorial (STI) gives native students a sense of place and value in history,” said John McCoy, Washington State Senator and sponsor of SB 5433.

“The Colville Confederated Tribes recognizes the importance of SB 5433 and equipping educators with the necessary resources and tools to successfully carry out these initiatives,” said Jack Ferguson of the Colville Business Council. “Our Tribe is happy and humbled to be engaged in the planning of the Indian Education Institute in partnership with Wenatchee Valley College and the State of Washington. We are hopeful for strong participation and engagement, and we are looking forward to hosting our partners and our state’s finest educators on our homelands.”

Dr. Jim Richardson, Wenatchee Valley College President, said, “The WVC Board of Trustees and I are excited to support the 2016 Summer Teaching Institute for Native American history and culture. The institute will bring K-12 educators from throughout the State to Okanogan County. We look forward to this becoming a yearly event.”

For more information, contact N. Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, Summer Teaching Institute Coordinator, at 509.322.7718 or email npalmanteer-holder@wvc.edu.