12th Annual Upper Peninsula Indian Education ConferenceMonday, September 29, 2008
Northern Michigan University, Bottum University Center
On-line registration
Registration deadline: Wednesday, Sept. 24
This conference is FREE of charge.
This annual Indian Education conference has been designed for educators (principals, counselors, teachers, and school system staff) who work on a regular basis with American Indian students and families.
Area information
Keynote: D.J. Vanas
D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas is a husband, father, internationally acclaimed motivational storyteller and success coach. He is also the author of the book The Tiny Warrior: A Path to Personal Discovery & Achievement which is printed is six countries. D.J. is Odawa and uses traditional warrior concepts and wisdom to inspire others to achieve their best in life and career. For over a decade, he's delivered programs in 45 states and overseas to over 1,500 audiences including NASA, IBM, and hundreds of tribal governments, communities and schools.
Conference presentations
Tentative conference schedule:
9:00 a.m. -- Opening Remarks, Michigan/Ontario Rooms
9:15-10:30 a.m. -- Breakout Sessions I
10:45 a.m.-12 noon -- Breakout Sessions II
12:15-2 p.m. -- Lunch with Keynote Speaker: D.J. Vanas
2:15-3:30 p.m. -- Breakout Sessions III
3:30-3:45 p.m. -- Closing Remarks, Michigan/Ontario Rooms
“The power of the Upper Peninsula Indian Education Conference lies in the strong connections it makes to all peoples in the world. Through the use of rich local cultural experiences, this conference will teach participants to value the language, art, history, and voice of every individual.”
--Dr. Joe Lubig, NMU School of Education
"Attending the UP Indian Education Conference has allowed me to grow as a teacher and a learner. Thanks to the wonderful presentations, I have a better understanding of how my choices as an educator can offer support or counteract bias in the classroom, especially as it relates to Native American students, cultures, or experiences."
--Dr. Kia Jane Richmond, Associate Professor of English - Secondary Education, NMU English Department
The UP Indian Educators’ Conference was one of the most worthwhile professional developments I have attended. As a future educator, it made me aware of issues in Native American inclusion in the classroom that I had not been aware of before – things that have the potential to make or break a Native American student’s academic career. I highly recommend this conference to any and all education majors!
--Jen Howell, NMU graduate
For more information, contact the Center for Native American Studies at 906-227-1397 or by e-mail cnas@nmu.edu
