American Indian Education

American Indian Education is an important focus of the Department of Education and other units at UMD.

The Department of Education has an endowed chair position for a Professor of American Indian Education. This role is filled by Tom Peacock, who is also an Associate Dean with the College of Education and Human Service Professions.

Through a partnership with the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTTC), in Cloquet, Minnesota, our faculty serve as instructors for a Tribal Cohort program there.

There are two related units in the College of Education and Human Service Professions (which is also the home of the Department of Education):

• Eni–gikendaasoyang ("Moving Towards Knowledge Together"): the Center for Indigenous Knowledge Revitalization
• American Indian Learning Resource Center

Eni–gikendaasoyang has two student cohorts underway. A third, a new Tribal Special Education Licensure Program, will begin in January 2008:

• Gekinoo´imaagejig (The Ones Who Teach): A K–6 elementary education program, with a K–8 teaching Ojibwe Language specialty, committed to the recruitment, retention and graduation of Indigenous students interested in becoming teachers.
• Maawanji'idiwag (They Come Together): An early childhood program for headstart teachers.
• New! Tribal Special Education Licensure Program, with a cohort beginning Fall 2008: A two-year post-baccalaureate licensure being offered as a hybrid online program.