American Indian Studies Program

David J. O’Connor finds personal reflection and storytelling essential to learning about Wisconsin’s First Nations

As the American Indian Studies Consultant at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, David J. O’Connor connects with educators to provide support for their understanding of the histories, cultures, and tribal sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, communities, and nations of Wisconsin. 

For further information to hear about the work David J. O'Connor engages on with educators, please refer to the following articles from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: 

• 4 National Native American Heritage Month Activities & Lesson Plans (2022)
• Q&A: How to Teach Indigenous Peoples' Day (2022)
• Infusing Multiple Narratives in History Classrooms: Native American Studies (2021)
• Don't Just Teach About Cultures—Teach Culturally. Here's the Difference (2020)

American Indian Students and Items of Religious and Cultural Significance

 

The following four letters were sent in May 2024, May 2022, May 2019, and September 2017 that addresses an issue that has come up repeatedly in conversations with tribal nations: American Indian students being prohibited from wearing items of religious and cultural significance.

 

As noted in each letter, it is our hope that schools or districts take this opportunity to review their policies and reach out to the sovereign tribal nations near them.