Waabagaa Giizis 🍁

( Changing Leaves Moon)

September 2024

Gdanmikaagoom goki kinomaagegamgong

We are welcoming you all back to school

Welcome!

We look forward to a new school year with your family and students. As we step into this new school year I would like to share with you who we are and what we do here at TCAPS:

Our program provides cultural and academic support to Indigenous students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. In addition, we aim to increase the knowledge of cultural identity and awareness within TCAPS to contribute towards an inclusive learning environment.

Our program is funded by a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Education as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and is administered through the Office of Indian Education. The program is further supplemented through additional grant monies from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians’ Community 2% Funds and TCAPS.

We do:

Academic support
Cultural enrichment
Connection to services and resources
FAFSA assistance
College application assistance
Scholarship application assistance
Job application assistance
Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver application assistance
Building community
High School student-led club support
Cultural enrichment evening events for TCAPS community

Each year we have a list of objectives with input from our parent committee. The Indigenous Education 24/25 school year objectives are:

Increase academic achievement
Increase knowledge of cultural identity and awareness
Increase parent participation
Increase Indigenous language instruction programs
Increase support for at-risk students

We will work together to meet our 24/25 objectives through programming, program services, and your support and involvement.

If you are new to our program and newsletter we hope you will take the opportunity to become familiar with the Biidaajimotaage and our program. Please feel free to reach out to share exciting news about our students that we can share here in our newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram. Additionally, please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas.

Miigwetch (thank you - Anishinaabemowin)

Oose (thank you - Shoshone)

Peshaiyu (thank you - Bannock),

Summer Baldwin

TCAPS Indigenous Education Coordinator

Office: (231) 933-5897

Cell/text: (231) 499-2421

Email: baldwinsu@tcaps.net

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION PARENT COMMITTEE

SY 24/25 Indigenous Education Parent Committee Meetings

The TCAPS Indigenous Education Parent Committee was established to provide input and assistance with the program. All parents and guardians of TCAPS Indigenous students are encouraged to attend informative meetings and to share their thoughts and opinions.

2024-2025 Indigenous Education Parent Committee Meetings

Locations: West Middle School Library and Google Meet

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

September 9, 2024 - Election of Officers (meeting notes )

November 11, 2024

February 10, 2025

March 10, 2025 - Annual Public Meeting

April 22, 2025 - Title VI Grant Review Meeting

June 9, 2025 - End-of-Year Meeting

📅 Add to your Google calendar

📥 Download Letter size list of meetings

ANISHINAABE EXPRESSIVE CULTURE SERIES

Anishinaabe Expressive Culture Series

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Title VI Indigenous Education Program hosts an educational series called the “Anishinaabe Expressive Culture Series”. The series focuses on highlighting a variety of cultural educational topics and includes language, art, music, dance, and regalia.

Events will be announced here in the Biidaajimotaage and social media pages.

Opportunities

Gda-Gindaasomin: Fall book reviews!

TCAPS Indigenous Education is seeking Indigenous Education student book lovers to read and provide reviews of books through the Fall!

Who can submit? TCAPS Indigenous Education Students
What to submit? Provide a book review. Submissions can be written, video, or audio.
When to submit? Fall 2024

Multiple book reviews are welcomed and encouraged!

An anonymous and fellow bookworm donor sponsored two $10 gift cards!

Winners will be selected and notified on the day before Winter Solstice, December 20, 2024.

For more information and to submit click here! 👈

TCAPS Indigenous Education Powwow Dance Group - Seeking Interest

TCAPS Indigenous Education program is interested in creating a powwow dance group of students in the Title VI program. We are seeking interest from program participants. If your child would be interested in this opportunity please take a moment to complete this Google Form.

Who: TCAPS Indigenous Education Students

What: The group will provide students the opportunity to celebrate and educate about Indigenous culture through dance. In addition, students will have the opportunity to connect in community, enhance leadership skills, practice public speaking, and have access to mentor opportunities.

Follow-up communication can be expected in the end of September to those who complete the interest form.

Dance Group Interest Form

▶ Scholarships

Peter Olson Scholarship Deadline: September 12

The Peter Olson Scholarship is available to any Native American living in the Diocese of Gaylord - Peshawbestown, Petoskey, and Manistee - who is in college or graduate school. Applications are available by contacting Sister Susan Gardner, Director of the Native American Apostolate and Director of Parish Life of St. Kateri Parish.

The applications will be presented to the board in September. They decide the amount of money each applicant will receive. Checks take about two weeks to process.

Applications MUST be returned to Sister Susan by September 12, 2024

CALL 231-271-6651

COMMUNITY

Community Events & Gatherings

Tribal Events & Gatherings, September 2024

WEDNESDAYS: Anishinaabemowin In-Person Classes at the GTB 3-Mile office from 5 pm to 7 pm
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6: Native Connections & Niizh Animiig End of Summer Bash from 6 pm to 8 pm at Medicine Lodge parking lot
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7: Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa 1st Annual Sturgeon Release Ceremony from 11 am to 2 pm at Hannah Park
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8: Learn to Play Lacrosse! The Medicine Game at Strongheart from 1 pm to 3 pm
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14: Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa 20th Annual Natural Resources Fair & Feast at Arthur Duhamel Marina from 10 am to 3 pm.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: Learn to Play Lacrosse! The Medicine Game at Strongheart from 1 pm to 3 pm
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: Out of the Darkness Traverse City/Northern Michigan Walk at Clinch Park. On-site registration at 9 am, walk begins at 10 am.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: Learn to Play Lacrosse! The Medicine Game at Strongheart from 1 pm to 3 pm
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26: Native Connections & Niizh Animiig Nbwaachiwe Kwewok (Women Visiting): Painting at GTB 3 Mile office from 5:30 pm to 7 pm
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28: Anishinaabe Giizhigad / Michigan Indian Day
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30: Orange Shirt Day - Indian Boarding/Residential School day for truth and reconciliation

All events listed above are open to the public.

Local/Regional Tribal Event Calendars:

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa events website
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians event website
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians event website