Penobscot Nation schedules Wabanaki studies workshops

INDIAN ISLAND – Teachers from around the state are being given an opportunity to learn more about incorporating Maine American Indian history and culture into their curriculum.

American Indian education became a requirement when LD 291 was introduced by Rep. Donna Loring of the Penobscot Nation and later passed in 2001.

The Penobscot Nation will hold four workshops next month led by facilitators James Eric Francis Sr. and Connie Manter. A $5,000 grant from the Maine Humanities Council is helping to fund the sessions.

Workshops will be held Oct. 1 and 25 at Indian Island, and Oct. 9 and 17 at the University of Southern Maine.

“They’re designed to give teachers professional development about LD 291 and also to expose them to the curriculum being developed by the Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department,” Francis said. “It’s not too late for teachers to sign up for any of them.”

The cost is $25 and lunch will be provided. Classes will include about 50 people and teachers who have helped develop the Wabanaki curriculum will give presentations and lead activities about their programming.

The workshops will focus primarily on the importance of the history, culture, traditions, government, and economy of the region’s four Wabanaki tribes: Penobscot, Maliseet, Micmac and Passamaquoddy.

There currently is one curriculum kit available to teachers for $600, but Francis said that by the end of the year he intends to have three kits identified for different age groups.

The response from teachers already using the kits has been excellent, he said.

“The Old Town School Department requires teachers to use this curriculum kit,” Francis said. Old Town served as a pilot school in developing the program.

To register for one of the workshops, call Francis at 827-7776, ext. 7472, or send an e-mail to dkondilis@penobscotnation.org.