November 7, 2012
"While we agree that poverty creates numerous obstacles to student learning, we see proof points in classrooms every day that tell us we don’t need to wait to eradicate poverty to give every child a great education."
Get to Know Sinte Gleska University and Oglala Lakota College
Tribal colleges have a mission of fostering tribal identity, self-determination, and service while providing a rigorous and diverse education to the students of their respective reservations. Teach For America - South Dakota works closely with the Tribal colleges Sinte Gleska University and Oglala Lakota College, which provide the coursework for our teachers to become certified.
Among the first tribally controlled colleges in the United States, Oglala Lakota College is chartered by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and governed by a board of trustees comprised of tribal members. OLC’s degree programs focus on Lakota studies and leadership, as well as education. In 2011, the college was recognized for graduating a high number of students with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees by an HCM Strategist report funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Like OLC, Sinte Gleska University offers degrees in Lakota studies and education to the Rosebud Indian Reservation community. In addition, the university’s Great Plains Art Institute offers courses and degree programs in visual art and art education, and sponsors the annual Northern Plains Indian Art Market and its accompanying juried art show. Teach For America - South Dakota is enriched by our partnership with Sinte Gleska University in providing Culturally Responsive Teaching Nights for corp members.
Region Timeline
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The Fort Laramie Treaty reduces the land of the Great Sioux Nation, but includes all of western South Dakota and a promise by the government to prevent any further encroachment by white settlers.
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Gold is found in the Black Hills and prospectors come to the area in droves. In order for the U.S. to claim the gold, the treaty is broken and the Great Sioux Nation is split into smaller reservations. Today, the tribal governments continue to contend that the land taken was illegally seized.
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During the “boarding school” era, led by Captain Richard Pratt, Native-serving schools adopt the philosophy “Kill the Indian, save the man.” Lakota children are forbidden to speak their native language or practice their traditions.
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The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 introduces the teaching of Indian history and culture in Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools.
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The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 gives authority to federally recognized tribes to operate Bureau-funded schools and to determine education programs suitable for their children.
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The Education Amendments Act of 1978 provides funds directly to tribally operated schools, empowers Indian school boards, and permits local hiring of teachers and staff.
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South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard launches Investing in Teaching, an initiative focused on bringing high-quality teachers into every classroom.
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With support from the governor’s office and both parties in the legislature, SB 139 passes, granting $250,000 in matching dollars to Teach For America-South Dakota. This passage marks the first time Teach For America has received received state funding in our region.
Overheard
Living and working with the Oglala Lakota Nation's people, I am proud of the quantity and quality of Lakota language and culture they have learned in my classroom. While it is a math classroom, we work hard to incorporate Lakota in all that we do. For example we practice basic math problems using Lakota numbers, or encourage the cultural values like respect, courage, honesty, and wisdom.
South Dakota Corps 2010
Press
March 22, 2012
Teach For America corps members experiences in local classrooms.
March 3, 2012
"A grant program to support the Teach for America program on South Dakota reservations passed the Legislature..."
