ADA, OK – The Chickasaw Nation has been awarded a federal grant to develop an online curriculum resource for educators in collaboration with the First Americans Museum (FAM), Oklahoma City.
Through the grant, dubbed the Chickasaw Nation Online Educator Resource Planning Grant, the Chickasaw Nation will partner with FAM to develop a publicly accessible online template that will provide K-12 educators with a centralized resource for educational curriculum informed by Oklahoma tribal nations. The goal of the project is to ensure the histories and cultures of the tribes within the state are accurately portrayed, respected and shared in the classroom, said Angela Wrublewski, Chickasaw Nation Department of Education Director of Student Development.
“We hope to create an online resource where a teacher can find a lesson plan that aligns with Oklahoma academic standards in a wide range of subjects and they’ll be able to find one that comes from a tribal nation, so we know that it’s honoring their story and their history,” said Wrublewski.
The genesis of the project began with an inquiry from a school in Chickasaw Country requesting First American history lessons from the Chickasaw Nation. The grant will launch efforts to include many tribal nations to submit updated, accurate information and centralize the curriculum resources for teachers.
“The project aims to strengthen professional relationships amongst tribal nations and educators in Oklahoma and will increase tribal capacity to provide interactive and accurate educational materials online,” said Wrublewski.
Partnering with FAM on aligned with both organizations’ goals to share accurate information about First American history and culture, and allow each tribe to tell their own story.
“FAM is honored to partner with Chickasaw Nation Department of Education on this important project to provide tribally produced classroom resources to educators across North America,” said Adrienne Lalli Hills, FAM Director of Learning and Community Engagement.
Awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (NANH) program, grant funds will support a digital strategy consultant who will conduct a requirement review, gather and inventory assets and develop information architecture. Additionally, a full-time project coordinator will be employed to engage with diverse stakeholders to collaborate on the creation of a comprehensive plan for the implementation of the educator resource.
