Maine K-12 educators and pre-service educators have a special opportunity to learn about Maine Indians. The 5th Annual “Teach the Teachers” series is being hosted by the Penobscot Nation’s Cultural & Historic Preservation Department on four select days in October on Indian Island.
- Monday October 3rd
- Tuesday October 11th
- Wednesday October 19th
- Thursday October 27th
The workshops are designed to assist Maine educators with incorporating Maine Indian history and culture into their classrooms, to identify historically accurate and culturally appropriate classroom resources, and to help foster a continuing relationship between Maine educators and the Penobscot Cultural and Historic Preservation Department. This year we will be looking at subject matter on all grade levels including a presentation on Tribal Sovereignty by Dr. Darren Ranco.
Since 2005, Maine educators K-12 have been required by Maine law to include Maine Indian history and culture in their classrooms. The Maine Indian History and Culture Law, commonly referred to by its 2002 legislative document number, LD291, was presented as a bill to the 122nd legislature by former Penobscot tribal representative, Donna Loring who recognized a need for Mainers to become better educated about the indigenous people of the state. Loring states that “with knowledge, comes understanding, and with understanding, comes respect.”
The Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department has been at the forefront since the bill’s inception, providing educational resources, curriculum, classroom presentations, and teacher professional development workshops. The workshop fee is $35 per person and includes lunch and a copy of the DVD “Penobscot: A People and Their River”. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Visit www.penobscotculture.com to register. For more information call 817-7472.