LCSD Indian Education students travel to U.S. capital, meet with Schrader’s office
From the Lincoln County School
District; posted June 28, 2022
When Secondary Director Majalise
Tolan wanted to take graduating Title
VI Indian Education students from the
Lincoln County School District to Wash-
ington, D.C., it seemed impossible.
“I was at the National Association of
Secondary School Principals Advocacy
Conference and walked by the Smithson-
ian Museum of the American Indian and
thought, that’s it – this is the culminating
learning experience our students need
to have as they end their time in Lincoln
County,” said Tolan.
Tolan’s thoughts were shared by many,
including LCSD Business Manager Kim
Cusick, whose office went to work sub-
mitting a Title VI federal budget revision
for cultural experiences and travel, a cat-
egory that had gone largely unused due
to COVID restrictions. Superintendent
Dr. Karen Gray also wholeheartedly sup-
ported the opportunity.
“I think it is really important for young
people to experience history firsthand. I
was especially excited to provide kids an
opportunity to visit national museums that
are thoughtfully dedicated to sharing the
different ethnic and cultural histories of
our students. They can experience pride
and understanding of their culture and
have an appreciation of the various people
that have been marginalized,” said Gray.
Through consultation with Alissa
Lane-Keene, Programs II manager for
the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indi-
ans, and Gregory Hindsley, Education
Program specialist for the U.S. Office of
Indian Education, and with support from
the LCSD Indian Education Parent Com-
mittee, the trip that had been a thought
walking past a museum became a reality
for any of the graduating Title VI students
who wanted to attend.
“On behalf of the Office of Indian
Education, I was pleased to approve this
trip for the 16 graduating seniors of Lincoln
County, Oregon, as it aligns with their stated
Title VI (A, 1) Formula Grant goals and
objectives, as well as our mission to support
Indian education-based cultural and aca-
demic development. I was honored to spend
some time with the group while they were
in D.C. and learn more about the students
and their experiences and aspirations. This
program affirms that OIE is supporting
great Indian Education programs in Oregon
and across the country,” said Hindsley.
The students themselves appreciated
the opportunity.
“The trip to D.C gave me an oppor-
tunity to explore my heritage, stand for
Native representation and further under-
stand the history of our country,” said
Newport High graduate Adrian Mobley.
Having been to Washington, D.C., and
on field trips in the past, Indian Education
specialist Felisha Howell felt something
different during this experience.
“This trip was more than visiting
the beautiful museums. This trip gave
students the chance to find themselves
and realize how powerful they are and
how important it is for them to empower
each other and be proud of who they are
and where they come from,” said Howell.
Waldport graduate Skyly Postma fol-
lowed, “I’ve never felt more comfortable
10 •
Siletz News
•
Courtesy photo from LCSD
Sixteen Lincoln County students visit Washington, D.C., taking in the sights that included the National Museum of the Ameri-
can Indian.
or heard around a group of people I barely
knew. This trip was an amazing opportu-
nity not only for me but for other Native
Americans who want to learn more about
our culture.”
Graduates had a walking tour of
D.C. from Hindlsey; visited the National
Museum of Natural History, National
Museum of American History and the
National Museum of the American Indian;
and met with Simone Auguer, legislative
assistant to Congressman Kurt Schrader.
Graduates shared information and
concerns about issues such as human
trafficking, Missing and Murdered Indig-
enous Women, lack of water on reserva-
tions and affordable housing.
“We enjoyed their visit and were
very impressed with their knowledge and
insights on issues that concern them. They
were wonderful and had great questions!
We’re so glad we had the opportunity to
chat with them,” said Auguer.
The intent of the trip was to provide
students with learning opportunities
beyond this single experience, though.
“We realize that in our educational
system, there are gaps in cultural repre-
sentation,” said Tolan. “With the passage
of Senate Bill 13 and House Bill 2845,
the inclusion of Tribal History Shared
History and Ethnic Studies across content
areas, we know that we still have work to
do when it comes to underrepresented
groups who have a history that is not
being shared. Student and family voice is
important when it comes to representa-
tion. Listening can almost always provide
the best learning,” said Tolan.
NHS graduate Mobley agreed, “I think
if there’s anything I can take away from D.C.
that I hope to have introduced to LCSD is
more education on the Native history and
the exploration of cultures outside of our
August 2022
small county. I think the world is filled
with so much misinterpretation and mis-
understandings that even a simple avenue
to explore different cultures would be ben-
eficial for inclusivity, cultural preservation
and building compassion and empathy.”
LCSD serves Title VI Indian Educa-
tion students in Lincoln City, Newport,
Siletz, Toledo, Eddyville and Waldport.
Federal Title VI is part of the Office of
Indian Education, housed in the U.S.
Department of Education. LCSD Title VI
regularly consults with the Confederated
Tribes of Siletz Indians to support and
enhance learning and cultural opportuni-
ties for their youth.