This session will help participants understand how to incorporate Indigenous Studies into their teaching and learning. Many educators have been taught to teach about cultures; however, students will be better engaged and retain more information when educators teach culturally. In this session, not only will resources and materials about the American Indian nations' histories, treaty rights, sovereignty and cultures be shared, but participants will also be given ideas, examples, and direction regarding teaching culturally. The four I’s mark the stages of an educator’s journey to incorporate Indigenous Studies into their work: inform, include, integrate, and infuse. When considering each of the I’s, all stages are important in the process. It takes time, growth, and understanding to develop a curriculum that supports multiple narratives and perspectives of First Nations Studies into lesson plans, pedagogical practices, material selections and district curriculum. The expected outcome of the session will be that as educators incorporate teaching culturally into their teaching, their students' achievement will increase and improve.
