Latest news with #NativeAmericanCulture
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mayetta, Kansas woman crowned Miss Indian World
LAWRENCE (KSNT) – Last month marked a proud moment for Mayetta, Kansas when one of its own, Dania Wahwasuck was crowned Miss Indian World at the Gathering of Nations powwow in Albuquerque. In April, 23 women competed for Miss Indian World. The Gathering of Nations is one of the country's largest inter-tribal powwows. The competition consists of dancing, talent, interview, and public speaking portions. Dania Wahwasuck, from the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation had the chance to represent her native people. 'Learning more about my tribe. One thing that has always stuck with me that I was taught was to live for our people now, for those who came before us and those who come after us,' Miss Indian World Winner, Dania Wahwasuck said. Dania is a 24-year-old student at the University of Kansas. She is studying leadership in diversity and inclusion with an emphasis on indigenous studies. She says her mission is to uplift youth and advocate for education. 'Being a leader in a sense too that I'm just uplifting and inspiring others is just who I am,' Wahwasuck said. 'And that's just a part of my journey too.' Wahwasuck has been competing in Native American pageants since she was a the course of her life, she has been learning the Potawatomi language. Evergy Plaza hosts Nighttime Food Truck Festival She says this competition helped her learn more about herself. 'I always tell people when I'm learning my Potawatomi language, it makes me feel more connected to my people today, but also my ancestors,' Wahwasuck said. 'And I'm learning too, that it also makes me feel more connected to myself because that's who we are.' Since her win at Miss Indian World, Wahwasuck has been traveling the country aiming to foster a strong sense of community in Indian country. She says she will be attending next year's competition to support the new contestants. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rising Stars
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Star quilts are one of the most valued gifts among Native Americans, often made for events to recognize someone special or who has made a difference for the Native American News paid a visit to the Santee Sioux Tribe in Flandreau, where quilters have been busy sewing together a timeless heritage that honors and respects anyone who gets one. Sioux Falls Rec. Trail expansion underway We recently told you about award-winning quilter Bonnie LeBeaux, who opened her own star quilt store in Rapid City. She has been making star quilts for close to 30 years, mostly as gifts. 'We like to be within our culture, we like to honor the achievements of our people, of our children when they do significant acts of achievement or valor. Graduation is always the biggest time of the year,' owner of Bonnie LeBeaux said. Unlike LeBeaux, Marilyn and Mae Allen of Flandreau, who are cousins, learned how to make star quilts just this year. 'I just thought, you know, I'll just learn, I'm going to have to learn,' Marilyn said. Marilyn says sewing together star quilts is a great way to honor her Native American heritage. She started in February after getting a quick lesson from a relative. 'I made my first one, took me about a week, it ended up being king size, which was huge, so from their we just started making more quilts,' Marilyn said. And she hasn't quit. These are some of her latest ones that she's posted on her facebook page to try and raffle off. So far, she's sewn 20. In a variety of colors, fabrics, and styles. But they must all contain a star. 'The star, I guess with our creation stories of coming from the stars; like remembrance of where we come from and acknowledging the star,' Marilyn said. Marilyn says she's gotten pretty accustomed to making star quilts in a short amount of time and now she can make one in about three days. Her cousin, Mae Allen, is blanketed with pride over the star quilts she's sewn together. 'Ever since I was little, especially at funerals, everybody from the community will display the star quilts along the outside wherever the wake is being held and seeing every single wall had a start quilt on it and how beautiful they are, it's just magnificent,' Mae said. And so is the meaning behind a star quilt. It's an honor to receive a star quilt. This one hasn't been gifted yet, but eventually it will be and when it is, that person should feel special. 'I feel like it's a great privilege, especially coming from a tribe not just one that your parents got and gave you, but actually coming from a community it's a lot more, like a bigger accomplishment or bigger recognition of your achievements,' Mae said. Like the time our former General Manager of KELOLAND TV, Jay Huizenga was gifted a star quilt during a special ceremony after he made the decision to move our KPLO tower off Native American sacred land in central South Dakota. A star quilt is also given away every state basketball tournament to an outstanding senior player who exemplifies the life of SuAnne Big Crow of Pine Ridge. SuAnne was killed in a car accident on her way to the Miss Basketball Banquet in 1992. The player is judged in the categories of outstanding athletic ability, leadership, character, sportsmanship and grade point average. But star quilts are gifted to people for a variety of reasons. 'If you're getting a star quilt, it's typically for different honorings; graduations, different milestones in your life, if a baby is born, if someone passes away typically people will bring star quilts and give those to people who attend the funeral, it really just depends on what the occasion is,' Marilyn said. But no matter what it is, to give a star quilt is to show the utmost respect, honor, and admiration to a person. If you were to buy a star quilt they range in price from $250 to $500 dollars. Marilyn and Mae will be hosting a star quilting workshop in Flandreau at the Tribal Headquarters' Community Center June 5th through the 8th. To learn more click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Montana Board of Public Ed vows to improve how state teaches Native American history and culture
A group of Montana students, families and tribes recently reached a settlement agreement with the Montana Board of Public Education — a major development in a years-long class action lawsuit regarding the implementation of Indian Education for All. Montana is the only state that constitutionally requires a commitment in K-12 public education to recognize the 'distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians.' In 1999, the state Legislature enacted the Indian Education for All (IEFA) Act to implement that constitutional mandate, requiring public schools to teach Native American history and culture. And since 2007 , the Legislature has appropriated about $3.5 million annually to Montana school districts for implementing IEFA. Schools, according to the original legislation, are supposed to use the funds for curriculum development, class materials and teacher training. In 2021, however, a group of Montana students, families and tribes filed a class action lawsuit against the state Office of Public Instruction and Montana Board of Public Education, alleging that school districts were improperly using funds meant to support IEFA. Tribal plaintiffs include the Fort Belknap Indian Community, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, Northern Cheyenne Tribe and Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. Court documents alleged that in 2019 and 2020, only 10% of Montana school districts could account for spending all of their IEFA funding on appropriate expenses. Documents allege, for example, that while one Montana school district received more than $55,000 in 2019 and 2020 to implement IEFA, the district reported spending about 71% of that funding. The remaining IEFA money for the district, according to court documents, was unaccounted for. One school, according to court documents, used some of its IEFA funds to pay a portion of librarians' salaries. Other schools allegedly used the funds to purchase books unrelated to Native American culture or history. 'School districts and schools have no incentive to fully and accurately report their IEFA expenditures because there is no penalty for failing to do so,' plaintiffs wrote in their complaint. After a closed-session discussion, the Montana Board of Public Education on March 11 voted unanimously to approve a settlement agreement — which was negotiated directly between the plaintiffs and board — and gave Chair Tim Tharp the authority to sign on its behalf. Though the Montana Board of Public Education agreed to a settlement, the class action lawsuit continues with OPI — the agency generally responsible for providing state funding, including for IEFA. The board agreed in the settlement to improve financial accountability measures, content standards, tribal collaboration and teacher training regarding the implementation of IEFA. Specifically, the board agreed to use the accreditation process to oversee and ensure the inclusion of IEFA in local instruction. It also agreed to request an annual IEFA implementation report from OPI. To the extent of its authority, the board will ensure IEFA is integrated across all content standards, and it will encourage all school districts to meaningfully consult with tribes in developing an IEFA implementation plan. The board will also require new educators to complete an introduction to IEFA course, which includes training on tribal collaboration. Tharp said in a statement that the board 'is pleased to reach this settlement.' 'Our time and efforts are better spent working to improve education for all students in Montana and not arguing in court,' he said. Plaintiff Jessica Peterson said she was relieved by the settlement. 'When we filed this lawsuit, my daughter was in second grade,' she said in a statement. 'Now she is a sixth grader in Helena Public Schools. Year after year, I don't see Indian Education for All happening in the Helena Public Schools.' State lawmakers have also passed legislation to strengthen IEFA. In 2023, then-Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder , brought a bill that required — rather than encouraged — school districts to implement IEFA. The bill, which was signed into law, also stipulated that IEFA funds could be revoked from certain schools if districts failed to report how the funds were spent. This legislative session, Windy Boy, now a state senator , carried Senate Bill 181 , which enhances tribal consultation and the role of Native language specialists within IEFA. It also adds new requirements for the Board of Public Education and OPI to strengthen accountability. That bill cleared the House and Senate and awaits Gov. Greg Gianforte's signature. ___ MTFP reporter Alex Sakariassen contributed to this story. ___ This story was originally published by Montana Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
