Indigenous Education Annual Gathering

About the Gathering

The purpose of the gathering is to provide an overview and update on the ongoing work of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction leadership and staff to improve academic and social outcomes for American Indian students, families, and communities of Wisconsin. At each session offered at the gathering, you will have the opportunity to hear from and learn from DPI leadership and staff and have the opportunity to ask questions and delve more deeply into the topics covered. 

This is an annual event held since 2017. The annual gathering was originally established and held in response to a request by former Forest County Potawatomi Chairman Harold ("Gus") Frank in the summer of 2016.  He requested that DPI provide information on American Indian education and studies to Indigenous leaders and educators of Wisconsin.

Date and Time: Monday, January 13, 2025 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Registration and Check-in 8:00 am - 9:00 am | Coffee, tea, and ice water, and lunch will be provided for participants attending the gathering. 

Room Block Information: A block of rooms has been reserved at the state rate for attendees who need a room.  Attendees are responsible for the cost of their hotel room.  Please call the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells Reservations Department at 1-800-746-2486 to book your room reservation.  Must reference the "DPI Indigenous Education Gathering Room Block" or Booking ID# 14398, to get into the group block with the group rate.  All reservations must be made before the cutoff date of January 2, 2025, to get into the group block with the group rate.

For online reservations, here is the link that will take the member directly to the group block:  https://gettaroom.b4checkin.com/hochunkwisconsin#groupSignIn

Group Code: 14398

Agenda Outline (Tentative): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p_GaOHP__JjbiMIsZq4J4TXYzM4nrSPa/view

• Registration and Check-in | 8:00am - 8:45am

• Welcome and Opening  | 8:45am - 9:30am

• Table Talk | 9:30am - 10:00am

• Break | 10:00am - 10:15am

• Session 1 | 10:15am - 11:15am 

• Break | 11:15am - 11:30am

• Session 2  | 11:30am - 12:30pm

• Lunch 'n' Learn | 12:30pm - 1:30pm

• Session 3 | 1:30pm - 2:30pm

• Break | 2:30pm - 2:45pm

• Closing | 2:45pm - 3:30pm

Event Facilitators: 

• Bwaakoningwiid David J. O'Connor, American Indian Studies Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction; Phone: (608) 267-2283 or Email: david.oconnor@dpi.wi.gov 

• Laura Roeker, Director of Teaching and Learning, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction; Phone: (608) 266-3560 or Email: aura.roeker@dpi.wi.gov 

• Laura L. Adams, Policy Initiatives Advisor, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Phone: (608) 267-9268 or Email: laura.adams@dpi.wi.gov

• Tacara Lovings, Policy Initiatives Advisor, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Phone: (608) 224-6170 or Email: tacara.lovings@dpi.wi.gov 

 Participant Outcomes

As a result of attending this gathering, participants will have an opportunity to:

• get updates on the latest educational priorities and initiatives, including but not limited to  Wisconsin Act 31, Wisconsin Act 20, and other educational requirements.

• have an opportunity to hear from DPI leadership and get real-time answers to your education questions.

• continue to assist DPI in prioritizing educational initiatives that impact Indigenous education in Wisconsin.

Target Audience

• Tribal Leaders and Representatives

• Tribal Education Directors and Staff

• Wisconsin Indian Education Association Board Members

• District Administrators and Principals of schools with Large Numbers/Percentages of American Indian students

• Tribal Head Start, Early Childhood, and Preschool Staff

• Tribal, Community, and School Liaison's (Home-School/Title VI/Johnson O’Malley Coordinators and Staff)

Additional Information/Disclaimers

The gathering will NOT be available virtually or recorded or otherwise shared after the scheduled date and is intended to be interactive and will include discussion time at the end of each session.

Registration and Fees

There are NO registration fees to participate in this gathering offered by the DPI. Pre-registration is required prior to attending the event for food and other logistic purposes. 

Questions on Registration 

Judy Ross, Administrative Assistant

CESA #12

American Indian Studies Program, https://dpi.wi.gov/amind 

400 Lake Shore Drive East, Ashland, WI 54806

Direct Line: (715) 685-1837

E-mail: judyr@cesa12.org

For more great training opportunities offered by DPI American Indian Studies Program, please visit our webpage: Calendar of Events