Tuesday, February 4, 2025
- Introduction to Wisconsin Act 31
- Tribal Sovereignty and Tribal Government of the First Nations of Wisconsin lesson plans
- District Self-Evaluation Tool on American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31)
- Wisconsin Act 31 Statewide Administrator and Teacher Surveys
- American Indian Studies Online Training Modules
- Annual Wisconsin American Indian Studies Summer Institute
Introduction to Wisconsin Act 31
Wisconsin Act 31 (enacted in 1989) requires all school districts and pre-service educator programs to provide instruction on the histories, cultures, and tribal sovereignty of American Indian nations of Wisconsin. The act emphasizes the significance of Indigenous cultures,histories, treaties, and tribal sovereignty in Wisconsin and the ongoing impacts Native Nations and people on the state.
Teaching and learning about tribal sovereignty helps all students understand the self-governing authority of American Indian Nations and people of Wisconsin, as well as their unique legal status in relation to the federal, state, and local governments. It also fosters understanding, respect, and recognition of Indigenous peoples and their retained rights.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has been working on additional resources for school districts to support educators and implementation of Wisconsin Act 31.
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Tribal Sovereignty and Tribal Government of the First Nations of Wisconsin Lesson Plans
The DPI worked with Indigenous and non-Indigenous teachers to write comprehensive model lessons intended for use in Kindergarten through high school. These lessons focus on the general ideas of tribal sovereignty and tribal government for each of the twelve Nations in our state and are designed to be incorporated into existing social studies curriculum scope and sequence plans for Wisconsin districts.
Bookmark and access the lesson plans: Tribal Sovereignty and Government of the First Nations of Wisconsin
Features of the New Lesson Plans:
- Designed to align with Social Studies Scope and Sequence
The resources were specifically written to align to the suggested K-5 and 6-8 Civics and Social Studies Scope and Sequence documents that were released in October 2023. Additionally, the high school lessons could be incorporated into a US History or civics/government class at the 9-12 level.
In Wisconsin, all curricular and resource decisions are made at the district/local level. So while use of these lesson plans are not required, they do fulfill the standards for model content that has been found to be authentic and valid. - Wisconsin-Specific
A number of these lessons use specific First Nations of Wisconsin as a foundation for student learning. We encourage you to use information for the Native community closest to you geographically as a starting point. More information on the Indigenous Nations of Wisconsin can be found on the DPI American Indian Studies Program website. -
Across the Curriculum
These model lessons can also be used outside of social studies, history, or civic courses. Educators are encouraged to incorporate American Indian histories, cultures, and tribal sovereignty lessons across subject areas such as science, mathematics, art, and literature.
By diversifying where this content is taught, we encourage students to critically analyze the narratives surrounding Indigenous topics and issues , questioning biases and stereotypes that may exist in mainstream narratives, perspectives, and stories.
Wisconsin Act 31 District Self-Assessment Tool
This multi-step self assessment framework helps districts, schools, and educators to assess and document progress in the implementation of Wisconsin Act 31 requirements.
The self-assessment leads districts through review of existing curricula, instructional materials, and practices. It aims to provide districts with the insights and support they need to evolve and expand their American Indian studies curricula. From there, the tool can point to areas where additional resources and/or professional development can be helpful.
The statutes in Wisconsin Act 31 are the minimum requirements of state law, and the DPI encourages districts to self-evaluate and then consider what they can expand on. Districts should be asking what other information, history, culture, knowledge of tribal sovereignty, and connections with our Indigenous people, communities, and nations of Wisconsin is best for their students.
Bookmark and access the evaluation tool: District Self-Evaluation Tool on American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31)
Wisconsin Act 31 Statewide Administrator and Teacher Surveys
The goal of the Wisconsin school Administrator and Teacher surveys will be used to determine how state and tribal agencies can provide information, training, and technical assistance to school districts in teaching about the Indigenous people and sovereign Nations of Wisconsin. The DPI is partnering with the Survey Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to conduct these surveys on the implementation of Wisconsin Act 31 throughout the state. When complete, the results from the two surveys conducted will be available on the DPI American Indian Studies Program website. The DPI will review the results and use them to inform the development of additional resources.
Surveys will be shared with districts in Spring of 2025.
Online Training Modules on American Indian Studies
In an effort to support ongoing training on Wisconsin Act 31, the DPI’s American Indian Studies Program is creating online modules about the American Indian Nations, histories, cultures, and tribal sovereignty in Wisconsin. These modules will be available for any school district, educator, librarian, education preparation program or CESA to access at no cost. These online training modules are an indispensable introduction to content and resources about American Indian studies in Wisconsin.
The online training modules for American Indian Studies will be released in the coming year.
Annual Wisconsin American Indian Studies Summer Institute
The annual Wisconsin American Indian Studies Summer Institute is an active, highly participatory, week-long workshop designed to increase participant understanding of issues related to the histories, cultures, and tribal sovereignty of the American Indian nations and tribal communities in Wisconsin.
The goals of the summer institute relate to both American Indian Studies and the education of Native American students. The summer institute aims to improve teaching and learning and to enrich student services, improving cultural competency. Participants will learn how to adapt or develop techniques best suited to their unique circumstances.
The 29th Annual Wisconsin American Indian Studies Summer Institute will be held on Monday, July 28, 2025 to Friday, August 1, 2025 at the Unity School District in Balsam Lake, WI. For more information and to register, visit the DPI American Indian Studies Program website Annual Wisconsin American Indian Studies Summer Institute webpage.
Conclusion
Wisconsin Act 31 plays a crucial role in educating ALL students across Wisconsin about Native American histories, cultures, and tribal sovereignty, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and informed society.
Wisconsin students should develop understanding and respect for the Native American Tribal Nations of Wisconsin to help build stronger relationships and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Wisconsin.
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