ARTS: More Important than Academics in the Classroom 

Christopher G Bordeaux married to Deborah and lives in the Slim Buttes/ Loafer Camp Community on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Chris is the Executive Director of the Oceti Sakowin Education Consortium (OSEC). A retired Gifted and Talented Educator and Principal. Currently the Provost of Anpo Wicahpi Owayawa-Pine Ridge Girls School in Porcupine SD. 

Chris has a MS Ed Admin from Oglala Lakota College, a BS Elem Ed from Black Hills State College and an endorsement in Gifted Education from the University of South Dakota. Majority of His teaching career was in Gifted Education in Tribal Schools. Chris has served eight terms on the South Dakota Indian Education Association Board. Three terms on the National Indian Education Association Board. Currently a member of the South Dakota Parent Connection Board. Consultant for Tribal Schools. 

Presented at numerous conferences on Indian Education, presentations on Native Gifted and Talented. Created Gifted /Talented Programs in two schools and they are very successful. Consulted for Riverside Publishing on items in standardized tests for bias and racism. Written science curriculum for elementary grades with AISES. Testified in front of the negotiated rule making committee to keep Gifted and Talented open for all students. Curriculum reviewer for “Expanding the Circle” a very successful transition program for high school students to college in Minnesota. AYP with schools in SD. Given testimony to the State Ed Committee and to Congressional Offices in Washington DC. Consulted with numerous tribal schools in South Dakota on Indian Education /Native Gifted, Restructuring, ARRA funding, ESEA (NCLB), Fiscal Accountability, Staff Policies and Handbooks, Student Handbooks, Federal reports, E-Rate, School Improvement and other issues.