Smoke Signals 7
OCTOBER 15, 2013
WaDDamniDirDa seirDDOir teaches THbaD hisftoiry
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
Willa mina High School senior
Cheyanne Fasana, 17, is on her way
to a career in teaching. She made
that career decision two years ago,
after tutoring a young cousin.
Now, her senior project is educat
ing a whole school.
"I really want to be a teacher,
and I really want to spread the
word about the Tribe. I want them
to learn about the Tribe," Fasana
said.
Her project created curricula
about the Tribe for a combination
fifth-sixth-grade class and another
for kindergarten classes.
"Basically, I wanted to start at
the top of the chain and the bottom
of the chain. Eventually, I'd like to
see it spread to each of the classes,"
Fasana said.
The straight-A senior created the
curricula, the day-by-day lessons,
exercises and tests that give the
fifth-sixth-grade class information
about the Grand Ronde Tribe's cul
ture, government, sovereignty and
language spread across 13 lessons.
There are eight lessons for kinder
garten classes, Fasana said,
"Kindergarten is a lot more basic.
It's an introduction to the Native
Americans in the community. We
talk about families and the long
house. They have a day for food,
travel (canoe travel) and art. I did
match every lesson to the state
standards," Fasana said.
The project began at the end of
June 2012 when she returned from
an internship at the American Mu
seum of Natural History in New
York City.
She started by "mapping out"
what she wanted students to
know.
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Photo by Michelle Alalmo
Willamina High School senior Cheyanne Fasana answers questions in Tribal Council Chambers during a tour for
Willamina kindergarteners and fifth- and sixth-graders on Wednesday, Oct. 2. For her senior project, Fasana
developed and is teaching a Native American curriculum, which includes general information about Indians and
specifics on the Grand Ronde Tribe, to those grades and a field trip to the Tribal campus was part of the lesson.
On their visit, about 160 students were welcomed by Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno, took part in traditional
drumming, singing and dancing, and toured the Tribal Governance Center.
The upper grade classes are full 40
minute, stand-alone lessons separate
from other classes. For kindergarten,
the lessons are 30 minutes. Teaching
started at the beginning of this school
year in late August and Fasana is
teaching two classes.
In the upper grades, she taught
as an aide to her mentor, Shelly
Vaughan. In the kindergarten
class, Fasana is teaching the cur
riculum as an aide to elementary
teacher Sandy Bibetta. Before it
is over for the year, Fasana will
have taught all three elementary
classes.
On Oct. 2, students from upper
and lower classes took a field trip
to the Reservation. It included a
cultural presentation and tour.
Teachers were really accepting,
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Come help make Cedar Roses for
.' ; presentation as part of this year's
Restoration Celebration!.
Volunteer groups will be making the cedar roses
in Grand Ronde, Portland and Eugene.
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Contact Flicka Lucero, Cultural Education
Secretary, at 503-879-2268 for information
, ' regarding locations, dates and times. ;
she said.
"They are really excited. I tried
to make it basic so it was easy for
them to teach. From students so
far, they've loved it. I've gotten
thank you cards and posters from
the students. I know teachers say
that the kids really enjoy it, and the
teachers as well."
Being in the classroom teaching,
she said, "I know for myself that the
students really enjoy it."
"I think it's an amazing project,"
said Angela Fasana, Cheyanne's
mother and Tribal Court adminis
trator. "She's like the fourth gener
ation in my family to graduate from
Willamina High School. Our family
has a long list of alumni including
my husband and I; my father and
mother (Tribal Chair Reyn Leno
and his wife, Liz) graduated from
there; brothers and sisters, aunts
and uncles and cousins, and my
grandfather, Richard Brown. Chey
anne's great-grandmother, Darlene
Brown, graduated from there. She
also was a teacher in the Willamina
district for many years.
"The idea that she could create
something that can stay in the dis
trict for years, I think, is amazing.
That's the hope. I believe they will
continue to teach this every year."
Cheyanne received some help
from her parents, but not much.
"We kind of gave her some guid
ance," said Angela. Her husband,
Ariah, who teaches science and
physical education-health at the
high school, "just gave her feedback
on some of the lessons. I did more
proofreading stuff for her."
The quality and quantity of the
work that Cheyanne put into the"
project did not surprise her par
ents. "She's an excellent student,"
Angela said. "When she sets her
mind to something, she goes at it
100 percent."
Cheyanne also has a history
of extracurricular activities. She
participates in the leadership pro
gram, Honor Society and student
government this year as activi
ties coordinator and last year as
class historian. She was part of the
junior booster club and participates
in cross country and softball. She
also does wrestling statistics for
the team.
Just after the interview, she had
to hurry for cross country prac
tice. Cheyanne started her senior
project in June. She completed the
written part of the project on Aug.
1. Classes using her curricula be
gan in late August. The project is
not due until May next year.
"I think part of what made this
exciting to her was that she could
combine her love of elementary ed
ucation with her pride in her Tribe,
her culture and her heritage," said
Angela.
"I really want to spread the word
about the Tribe," said Cheyanne.
"I want them to learn about the
Tribe." B
Parents Training focuses
on sexual health
Youth Prevention will sponsor a Parents Training session that
focuses on facts about sexual health at noon to 1 p.m. and 5:30 to
6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, in the Youth Education Building.
Family Nurse Practitioner Tami Martin will discuss current sexual
health information and contraception to help parents answer ques
tions from their children. There also will be a question-and-answer
period at the end of the training.
A light meal will be provided and door prizes will be awarded.
Both sessions will contain the same information.
For more information, contact Amber Mercier at 503-879-2162. D