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Anoka-Hennepin American Indian
Education Program
Since its beginning in the 1973-74 school year, the Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education program has focused on the educational needs of American Indian students.
Our purpose is to encourage and inspire the academic achievement, social and emotional development, and cultural awareness of our American Indian students; to serve as a resource to review and recommend accurate curriculum; and to promote cultural diversity among our community, staff, and students.
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Who is eligible to participate?
The Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education Program serves all Native American students regardless of tribal affiliation or blood quantum. Students must be accurately identified as American Indian/Native American in the Anoka-Hennepin Student Info Systems. There is no cost to participate, and all services are free of charge.
Students who are enrolled in a federally recognized tribe or have a parent/grandparent who is enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are encouraged to fill out the 506 form and JOM form to help sustain funding for the American Indian Education Program.
The Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education Program is an opt-out model. All identified students are welcomed into the program and automatically added to advisor caseloads for student groups and check-ins, and parents/guardians will receive program communications. Families may opt out of groups/check-ins or fully opt out of programming through conversation with their student's advisor.
Contact our program:
Indian_ed@ahschools.us
763-506-1159Click Here to meet the team!
American Indian Education
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What is American Indian Education?
Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education Program
Since its beginning in the 1973-74 school year, the Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education program has focused on the educational needs of American Indian students.Our purpose is to encourage and inspire the academic achievement, social and emotional development, and cultural awareness of our American Indian students; to serve as a resource to review and recommend accurate curriculum; and to promote cultural diversity among our community, staff, and students.Contact our program:
Indian_ed@ahschools.us
763-506-1159 -
More information
More info on the program:
Questions?Contact the Program Supervisor:
Mindy Meyers
American Indian Education Coordinator
Mindy.Meyers@ahschools.us
763-506-1186American Indian Education office:Educational Service Center
2727 N Ferry St.
Anoka, MN 55303Culture Lessons/Resources for teachers/families:
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Academic advisement
Advisors meet with students at their schools. Short group pull-out sessions are scheduled throughout the school year to help students achieve a greater level of success. One-on-one pull-out sessions are scheduled for students participating who need additional support and/or intervention, or as requested by parents and/or students. Advisors monitor attendance, grades, testing results, behavior, and course load. They provide post-secondary planning and career advisement at the high school level. Advisors work closely with parents/guardians, teachers, school staff, and administration to ensure students are getting the best experience possible.Advocacy
- Advocacy Between Home and School
- Liaison to District Personnel
- One-to-One Connection/Support
- Special Education
- Track Grades and Attendance
- Tutoring Scholarships
- Summer Reading Program
- Career Planning
- College Prep and Scholarship Application Assistance
- Information and Referral to Social Agencies
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Cultural advisement
One of the goals of the American Indian Education program is to increase cultural awareness and knowledge of our student's American Indian Heritage. We strive to instill pride in our students and the belief that the generations before them had value, and contributed to the world they now live in. Advisors create opportunities for students to learn about their culture through community events, field trips, and K-12 lesson plans that they develop each year.
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Elementary Advisors
Elementary Schools
**Exception: River Trail Learning Students fall under the Andover/Alternative School Cluster
Elementary Cluster 1
Jenny Porter
jenny.porter@ahschools.us
763-506-1172- Andover Elementary
- Brookside Elementary
- Champlin Brooklyn Park Academy
- Crooked Lake Elementary
- Dayton Elementary
- Evergreen Park Elementary
- Lincoln Elementary
- Monroe Elementary
- Oxbow Creek Elementary
- Ramsey Elementary
- Rum River Elementary
- Wilson Elementary
Elementary Cluster 2
Biiwaabik, Laura Pederson
763-506-1280- Adams Elementary
- Eisenhower Elementary
- Hamilton Elementary
- Hoover Elementary
- Jefferson Elementary
- Johnsville Elementary
- Madison Elementary
- McKinley Elementary
- Mississippi Elementary
- Morris Bye Elementary
- Sand Creek Elementary
- Sunrise Elementary
- University Elementary
Program Coordinator
Mindy Meyers, Waapishki Kiisis Ikwe
763-506-1186 -
Secondary Advisors
Cluster Alignment:
The Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education program follows a cluster model. Each advisor is aligned to a specific school cluster and supports the students in those buildings. This allows our advisors to follow students for more than just a few years, given they do not switch schools or move.
**Students who opt to enroll in the Step Ahead Online program will work with their "home school" cluster advisor.
Secondary Schools
Andover/Alternative Cluster
Danielle Hale, Makade Giniw
763-506-1287- Andover High School
- Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School
- Bridges
- Compass Programs
- Oak View Middle School
- Pathways
- River Trail Learning Center
- Including RTLC Elementary
- Teen Pregnancy Program
Anoka Cluster
Rossi Clem, Ode'iminigiizisookwe763-506-1071- Anoka High School
- Anoka Middle School for the Arts - Fredmoore Campus
- Anoka Middle School for the Arts - Washington Campus
- Sandburg Regional High School
Tina Vinton763-506-1342- Blaine High School
- Northdale Middle School
- Roosevelt Middle School
Bryan Waukau, Okehmah763-506-1281- Champlin High School
- Jackson Middle School
Elizabeth Hendrickson -
Community Gatherings / Events
To meet our cultural and academic goals Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education organizes multiple student activities and community events throughout the year.
UPCOMING EVENTS / SAVE THE DATESClick Here to download the May/June Calendar of Events!
Traditional Lacrosse Meetings!Sundays May through June! Starting April 27th
Students of all ages and parents/guardians are invited to join our American Indian Education Traditional Lacrosse group this May through June. The group will meet on Sundays from 1-3pm at the Jackson Middle School Football Field. Click here to view the flier.American Indian Education Archery TeamSelect Monday Evenings through May!
The American Indian Education Archery Team meets twice a month, December through May, in preparation for an annual cross-district competition in June. The team is open to students in 5th-12th grade. Students under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in this family engagement opportunity as well. Click Here for flier.
**April 7 Special Meeting Location: Average Joe's Archery in Coon Rapids.Ojibwe Language Table
Thursday evenings through May! EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 15!
Join Aagimewikamig, Dustin Morrow, as he introduces students, families, and community members to the Ojibwe language. Don’t worry if you can’t attend all classes, language tables are structured so that participants can pop-in. However, practice is essential for any language acquisition, so attend as many as you are able to set yourself up for success! Click Here for flier.Dakota Language TableTuesday evenings through May! Starting March 25.
Join Summer Jensvold, Dakota Language Student at the University of MN, as she introduces students, families, and community members to the Dakota language! Don’t worry if you can’t attend all classes, language tables are structured so that participants can pop-in. However, practice is essential for any language acquisition, so attend as many as you are able to set yourself up for success! Click here to view flier.Drum, Dance, & Bead!Monthly on Mondays at Coon Rapids Middle School. 6-8pm.
Enter door 9.Join the Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education Program for monthly drum and dance nights! Holly Henning and Zach Red Bear will be available to support dancers while Tony Frank will be sharing drum teachings with any young men who are interested in learning. This event is open to all ages and drum/dance experiences. Feel free to bring your regalia. However, it is not required.
Not a dancer? Bring a craft project! We will have limited beading supplies for parents/guardians & students to work on their own projects. (click here for flier)
Save The DateTri 2 Celebration - Wednesday, April 30 @ Blaine High School (click here for flier)Spring Powwow - Saturday, April 12 (click here for flier)ONLINE VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES
During the height of the pandemic, we hosted an online virtual speaker series. We hosted live speakers and asked speakers to pre-record videos for our online speaker series. All videos can be found on our Youtube Channel.
ANNUAL AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION EVENTS
Trimester Celebrations
Twice a year, American Indian Education hosts two community potlucks to celebrate and honor students' achievements after Trimester One and Trimester Two.We believe in recognizing students both for their academic achievements as well as community and cultural achievements. Awards given are:- A Honor Roll: 3.6 GPA (weighted)
- B Honor Roll: 2.6-3.5 GPA (weighted)
- Exemplary Attendance: 97% attendance (about less than 1.5 days missed).
- Outstanding Attendance: 95% (about less than 3 days missed)
- Above and Beyond: The purpose of this award is to recognize students who exceed expectations and take on leadership roles during groups with their advisors.
- Community Advocate: The purpose of this award is to recognize students who have volunteered in their communities during the trimester. Submit a nomination here.
- Cultural Leadership: The purpose of this award is to recognize students who have shown cultural leadership through their participation in cultural activities during the trimester. Examples include participation in: powwows (dancing, drumming, contests), ceremony, language tables, etc. Submit a nomination here.
American Indian Education provides the main dish for the meal, paper products, juice and coffee. We hope to see you there. Please bring a dish to share if you are able.View our T2 Honoring List here.Annual American Indian Education Fall Kickoff Potluck Gathering
Each September the American Indian Education Program plans a potluck gathering to kick off the school year! This is one of our biggest events of the year. It is a great place to meet new friends in the community and renew old friendships lost during the busy summer months. We often have a wide variety of activities for students and families to participate in.This is a potluck event. Indian Education provides the main dish for the meal, paper products, juice, and water. Please bring a dish to share if you are able.
End of Year GatheringEach June, the Indian Education Program plans a potluck gathering to close out the school year. During this picnic we celebrate our students who are transitioning from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and high school graduates.
This is a potluck event. Indian Education provides the main dish for the meal, paper products, juice, and water. Please bring a dish to share if you are able.
Parent Committee Meetings
Parent committee meetings are monthly and open to the public. Learn more about our parent committees & their meeting dates in the parent committee drop down section.
VOLUNTEERS
Indian Education has a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Whether you’re a family member, district staff member, student, or friend, we welcome your valuable talents and expertise.
- Parent committee (parents, secondary students, and district staff)
- Picnics
- Field Trips
- College Visits
- Senior Honoring
- Guest Speaker/Presenter
- Mailings
- Craft Preparation
All program volunteers must work with the volunteer coordinator at their schools to submit a volunteer application and any other necessary paperwork. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your cluster advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
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American Indian Education Parent Committees
There are two Parent Committees connected with our Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education Program.
The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) is a committee composed of parents or guardians of American Indian students, school district representatives, and secondary American Indian students. The AIPAC advises the district on aspects related to supporting and working with American Indian students and families. They also provide feedback and advice regarding aspects of the American Indian Education Program.The Johnson O’Malley Parent Committee (JOM) works specifically with the JOM Grant. This committee is composed of parents or guardians of JOM certified American Indian students participating in the American Indian Educaiton Program. The JOM Parent Committee serves as a governing body and oversees all aspects of and approves all expenditures of the JOM Grant.
Meetings:
The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee and the Johnson O’Malley Parent Committee meet on a monthly basis throughout the school year. All parent committee meetings are open to the public, though only elected members may participate in voting. All meetings are held in person at the Educational Service Center in Anoka (2727 North Ferry Street, Anoka, 55303).
JOM Meetings from 5-6pm and AIPAC meetings form 6-7:30pm.2024-2025 SY Meeting Dates: Tuesdays:
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November 19, 2024
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December 11, 2025 (Wednesday)*
*Will be at Coon Rapids Middle School -
January 21, 2025
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February 18, 2025
- March 6 - special meeting AIPAC. Virtual
- For link email: indian_ed@ahschools.us
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March 18, 2025 -- CANCELED
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April 15, 2025
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May 20, 2025
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June 17, 2025
Joining the AIPAC or JOM Committee(s):
All AIPAC and JOM members are elected by the American Indian Education Program Community via an annual elected. Parent committee elections are held every September. Families receive nomination information via email and US mail; voting takes place in person at the annual fall gather with an opportunity to vote virtually.
All parents/guardians of children enrolled in the American Indian Education Program and American Indian Students grades 7-12 are eligible to vote for AIPAC members. Only parents/guardians of JOM certified students may vote for JOM members.
To learn more about committee eligibility and nominations, please review the 24-25 Self Nomination Information.Questions?: Please contact your cluster advisor or email: indian_ed@ahschools.us
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Tutoring Scholarships
American Indian Education Tutoring Scholarships
Anoka Hennepin American Indian Education offers limited tutoring scholarships each trimester to students participating in our program.
Purpose: To focus on filling skill gaps in the areas of math and reading. Filling skill gaps rather than providing homework help, provides students with the foundation they need and helps support their long-term academic success as they move through elementary, middle school, and high school.Each trimester a limited number of scholarships are available to students (grade 1-12). Through partnership with Sylvan Learning Center, we are able to offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships each trimester, allowing students to participate in 25 hours of tutoring for the trimester in which their scholarship was awarded.Click Here to visit our tutoring page to learn more about our scholarships, deadlines, and access the application.
ACT PREP SCHOLARSHIPS:
This year our program is partnering with Sylvan Learning to offer a limited number of ACT Prep Scholarships. The Scholarship includes:
- 26 sessions (hours) of small group instruction
- Three practice tests
- 24 hour access to video review of test questions
- Additional study materials.
Scholarships will be awarded on a lottery basis with preference given to Juniors.To Apply: Fill out this registration form. Email the completed form to Indian_ed@ahschools.us
Due Date: Monday, April 7, 2025Notification: All families will be notified of their scholarship status by Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
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