by Wyoming, WY – Educators in Wyoming seeking to enrich their curriculum with authentic and comprehensive Native American heritage content have an array of valuable resources at their disposal. These resources are tailored to integrate Native American history, culture, and contemporary perspectives aligned with Wyoming’s educational standards, providing a unique opportunity for students to engage deeply with Indigenous narratives.
From interactive lesson plans and multimedia tools to specialized cultural centers and workshops, the following eight resources stand out as essential for enhancing Native American heritage education in Wyoming classrooms.
Comprehensive State-Supported Educational Materials
The Wyoming Department of Education leads the way by offering extensive educational material, including the “Everyday Native” project for grades 4–12, which explores both historical and modern Native American lives. Complementing this is the Wind River Education Project, a collaboration featuring videos and lesson plans about the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, available through Wyoming PBS.
- The Open Range Wyoming repository houses openly-licensed content with lessons conforming to the Indian Education for All law.
- Resources align closely with state social studies standards, ensuring smooth curriculum integration.
Rich Digital Content and Historical Insights
WyoHistory.org stands out as a premier online portal featuring high-quality lesson plans, articles, and digital toolkits that focus exclusively on Wyoming’s Indigenous peoples. An innovative feature is their matrix linking Indian Ed for All lesson plans to specific grade-level standards, making it a practical tool for educators aiming to tailor lessons precisely.
Hands-On Learning at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West enriches educational experiences through:
- K–12 programs and outreach trunks providing hands-on materials
- Access to the Plains Indian Museum and McCracken Research Library for deeper research
- Virtual and on-site field trips and professional development focused on Plains Indian history and culture
Academic and Cultural Support from the University of Wyoming
The Native American Education, Research, and Cultural Center (NAERCC) at the University of Wyoming serves as a vital resource hub, offering specialized programs such as Native American & Indigenous Studies, student internships, and access to the High Plains American Indian Research Institute. These initiatives significantly enhance cultural understanding and educational engagement for both students and educators.
Engaging Multimedia Resources from PBS LearningMedia
PBS LearningMedia curates a focused collection of videos and lesson plans that spotlight Native American history and culture, particularly involving Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation tribes. This collection helps bring history to life, offering visually engaging tools that deepen students’ learning experience.
Wyoming Humanities’ Native Narratives Initiative
The Native Narratives Initiative by Wyoming Humanities promotes cultural preservation and education through exhibits, oral histories, and classroom materials. Collaborating closely with Native communities, this initiative ensures educators incorporate authentic Indigenous voices and stories critical to Wyoming’s history.
Indigenous Environmental Education with WYAEE
The Wyoming Association for Environmental Education (WYAEE) offers Indigenous learning resources developed by Indigenous educators and artists. These include books, curriculum materials, and workshops that focus on Native American history, culture, and environmental stewardship, providing culturally authentic tools widely recommended by Indigenous partners.
Collaborative Storytelling through the Wind River Education Project
The Wind River Education Project, a joint initiative of Wyohistory.org and Wyoming PBS, delivers focused videos and lesson plans on the history and culture of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. Designed specifically for classroom use, these materials allow students to deeply engage with Native communities’ experiences and contributions.
Key Takeaways for Educators
- All resources align with Wyoming’s state social studies and cultural education standards.
- Resources include multimedia tools, hands-on learning kits, online portals, and cultural center programs.
- Emphasis on collaboration with Native communities ensures authenticity and respect.
- Available materials cater to a wide range of grade levels, primarily targeting K–12 educators.
“These resources are designed to provide meaningful engagement with Native American cultures and histories, fostering respect and understanding among students,” said a representative from the Wyoming Department of Education.
Enhancing Native American Heritage Education in Wyoming
These eight resources collectively empower Wyoming educators to offer enriched, authentic, and standards-aligned Native American heritage education. Through diverse media, hands-on experiences, and community partnerships, Wyoming schools can provide students with profound insights into Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues.
What do you think about these Native American heritage education resources? Have you used any of them in your classroom? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!
