Tali Raviv, PhD
NCS3 Co-PI and Midwest Regional Site CoDirector
If you went to school in the US, chances are that you did at least one turkey-related art project in the days and weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. However, if that was the end of the discussion and education around Thanksgiving, it was a missed educational opportunity. Luckily, there is a wealth of resources to support today’s teachers in elevating Native voices and perspectives and teaching about Thanksgiving in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways. A good place to start is this brief National Education Association article.
Not coincidentally, November is Native American Heritage month. While teaching and learning about Native American experiences should not be limited to the month of November, commemorating Native American Heritage month can be a good time to raise awareness about the rich cultural heritage of Native peoples in addition to the struggles they have faced throughout history and today.
Take time this year to explore resources from the National American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Technology Transfer Center or this toolkit for K-12 educators, administrators, and mental health professionals dedicated to supporting those seeking to promote positive school mental health among indigenous youth. Your students will thank you.