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Wednesday, July 15
 

10:00am MDT

Bridging Explicit Instruction with Indigenous Genius by Design (IGbD)
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
This session is designed for educators who want to honor the rigor of Native Literature while ensuring every student has the cognitive tools to access it. We will explore how Explicit Instruction (EI)—typically viewed as a "Western" pedagogical tool—can be decolonized and repurposed to serve the transfer of Indigenous knowledge, values, and joy.
Speakers
JA
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session A

10:00am MDT

From Classroom to Community: Empowering Students by Indigenizing Your Secondary ELA Curriculum Using A Rhetorical Approach
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
How do we prepare students for where they’re going in life? Recent scholarship on writing and rhetoric offers important insights about how we can help students negotiate the critical transitions that increasingly determine postsecondary success—like the transition from middle school to high school, high school to college, school to work, and from first-year college courses into the major and beyond. Teaching texts rhetorically promotes students’ agency and resilience by empowering them to transform their learning for new purposes. The units provided by the Native Literature Design Program encompass this approach.

No curriculum is perfect and for many secondary ELA teachers, the curriculum we have been given is often imperfect. Curriculum is equitable and effective when it acts as a “positive light” (142), to use Gholdy Muhammad’s description. Muhammad explains that “a quality curriculum provides teachers with guidance on how to approach, enhance, and customize lessons to meet the needs of their students” (157). When we use the tools of the Native Literature Design program and the framework from the California State University’s Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC) we can create a curriculum that meets the needs of all of our students, gives students a voice, and celebrates the joy of Indigenous Genius.

In this session, participants learn how to level up literacy and language learning through a rhetorical approach to reading and composing. Using examples from California State University's Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC) and the Native Literature Design Program, we explore teaching strategies and frameworks that promote transfer from reading to writing (and back again), between academic disciplines, and across genres and rhetorical situations. Most importantly, as part of the process of integrating these frameworks, participants will learn how to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into their existing curriculum.
Speakers
avatar for Margo Batha

Margo Batha

English teacher Los Alamos High School and Coach, California State University Expository Reading and Writing Course, Los Alamos Public Schools
From Classroom to Community: Empowering Students by Indigenizing Your Secondary ELA Curriculum Using A Rhetorical Approach
How do we prepare students for where they’re going in life? Recent scholarship on writing and rhetoric offers important insights about how we can help students negotiate the critical transitions that increasingly determine postsecondary success—like the transition from middle... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session A

10:00am MDT

Ikhoyaka - Character Building
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
Character Building of our Lakota (Native) students has been the first priority focus since the days we lived in tipis. Elders and Children were always first when considered in the families. Native people knew that if we raised decent human beings, our way of life would be easier to manage. Building character also helps our Native students excel and fosters a healthy identity. Native students must know who they are and where they fit in society. I use a number of books to establish Classroom Management and Classroom expectations. Examples of literature is Peta Shows Mesun the Light by Jessie Taken Alive - Rencountre and Gift Horse by SD Nelson. I also plug in the Lakota language into these teachings as much as possible. From these two books it is easier to establish Classroom Protocol.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session A

10:00am MDT

Mother Water (Water Filter Lab)
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
This session explores why clean water is essential for health, ecosystems, and community well‑being, grounding the learning in both scientific principles and Indigenous teachings. Many Indigenous Nations view water as a living relative and emphasize responsibility, respect, and stewardship. These perspectives frame the scientific investigation into how water becomes contaminated and how communities work to protect it.
Speakers
avatar for Kim Etsitty (Diné)
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session A

10:00am MDT

Poetry in the Elementary Native Lit Classroom: Accessing the Joy of Language through Play
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
In this session, participants will learn strategies to engage students in the study of poetry through play. Participants will take a deep dive into Grade 4 Unit 2: Words of Empowerment and Resilience that focuses on the novel in verse Red Bird Sings by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe). They will read and write poetry in rotations that provide the opportunity to experiment with different types of poetry, explore the connections between various forms of artistic expression (music, rap, drawing, photography) and poetry, and use poetry to deepen their connection to the land. We will connect this play back to the work of indigenous poets represented in the unit and think about how to empower students to interpret and create in this genre of writing.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Caldwell

Sarah Caldwell

Albuquerque Public Schools
Sarah Caldwell is a bi-racial black educator who was raised in a suburb of Wichita, Kansas where her education focused exclusively on white authors until her English teacher, Mrs. A, assigned Toni Morrison during her senior year of high school. She immersed herself in texts by diverse... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session A

10:00am MDT

Sixth Grade Indigenous Science Curriculum
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
The session will provide an overview of the curriculum through modeling and engagement of learning through hands-on learning lessons connecting to ELA/art lessons, implementing place-based learning methods, and showing how to adapt and localize lessons to your classroom. The goal is to provide modeling, practicing, and provide tools to implement within the learners' classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Diane Chavarria

Diane Chavarria

Kha'p'o Community School
“Learning is a never-ending and exciting adventure” is the motto that paves the way of Diane's life. She is a proud wife and mother of four boys who are from the Santa Clara Pueblo. With a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the Pennsylvania State University, she pursued a background... Read More →
avatar for Tylar Rodriguez

Tylar Rodriguez

Phoenix International Academy
Tylar Rodriguez currently works and lives in South Phoenix. He is an experienced educator at Phoenix International Academy and has participated in the Indigenous Science Initiative of the last 3 years as a curriculum writer and mentor.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session A

10:00am MDT

Understanding Tribal Systems and Building Meaningful Relationships
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
This session will explore the importance of localizing education efforts through meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities. Drawing from the presenter’s experience working in Tribal education, she will share practical insights from her own work in building relationships and navigating collaboration. Participants will then be introduced to foundational knowledge of Tribal governance systems and how they are structured, in particular Tribal Education Departments, to help educators understand the scope of the work and services that they provide to their communities.
Building on this foundation, the session will focus on strategies for developing respectful and effective partnerships with Indigenous Communities, and will conclude with practical guidance and concrete steps participants can take to begin building meaningful relationships.
Speakers
avatar for Bettina Sandoval (Taos Pueblo)

Bettina Sandoval (Taos Pueblo)

Bettina Sandoval was born into the community of Taos Pueblo, she is deeply rooted in her values and connections and is driven to make a positive impact anywhere she goes. Her passion for education started when she earned a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education from the University... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session A

10:00am MDT

What Are GMO's
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
In this engaging 8th grade science session, participants will take on the role of students and investigate the science of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) through the lens of both modern biotechnology and indigenous knowledge systems. Participants will begin by analyzing an excerpt from Robin Wall Kimmerer to ground their thinking in relationality and respect for the natural world. Using a "notice and wonder" protocol, participants generate questions about GMOs and consider their role in addressing global challenges, including feeding a population of over 8 billion people.
Through collaborative learning strategies such as a write-pair-share and movement-based discussion, participants actively construct understanding while engaging with their peers. A multimedia component introduces foundational scientific concepts behind genetic modification that prepares students to critically evaluate the benefits and risks of GMOs.
The most interactive participation is when students / participants are in a structured debate, examining multiple perspectives on GMOs, including environmental, cultural, ethical and economic impacts. This activity encourages critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning and respectful dialogue. Throughout the session, Indigenous Science principles-including respect, reciprocity and relationality- are woven into instruction by inviting students / participants to reflect on how scientific advancements intersect with indigenous values, land-based knowledge and community well-being.
By the end of the session, students / participants are not only understanding how GMOs are created and used but they also develop a more nuanced perspective on their implications, empowering them to think critically about science in real-world contexts.
Speakers
avatar for Talaya Platero - Diné
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session A

2:45pm MDT

Designing an Equitable High School Classroom
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
Our session is rooted in the research of Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's five pursuits in her equity framework for schools: identity, skills, intellectualism, criticality and joy. While the work and practice of essential skills such as "introducing a precise, knowledgeable claim" is necessary in these pursuits, they serve more as the result of rather than the focus of the equitable classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Beenen

Emily Beenen

Albuquerque Academy
Emily Beenen is a white, cisgender woman from the Midwest who currently teaches 8th and 9th grade ELA at Albuquerque Academy. Previously, she spent 19 years teaching primarily 11th and 12th grade AP Literature and AP Language at the Native American Community Academy. She applied to... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session C

2:45pm MDT

Designing with Relatives: Indigenous Mentorship and the Native Auntie Way of Learning
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
Many Indigenous educators grow professionally through relationships rather than formal professional development systems. Mentorship from aunties, elders, colleagues, and community members often teaches ways of observing, responding, and caring for others that shape how we approach leadership and learning.

This interactive session begins with a personal story from the facilitator’s upbringing on the Navajo Nation, reflecting on early lessons learned from aunties and elders about observation, responsibility, and relational accountability. These experiences introduce the idea that Indigenous mentorship is a form of professional learning that continues to influence how educators design learning environments today.

Participants will engage in guided reflection to identify the mentors and community members who shaped their own approaches to teaching and leadership. Through collaborative discussion and simple mapping activities, participants will explore how Indigenous values such as relational accountability, observation, and collective responsibility can inform classroom design and professional practice.

Aligned with the principles of Indigenous Genius by Design, this session centers community knowledge, teacher expertise, and relational learning. Participants will leave with practical ideas for incorporating Indigenous mentorship and values into their teaching and professional growth.
Speakers
avatar for April Yazza (Diné and A:shiwi)

April Yazza (Diné and A:shiwi)

Doctoral Candidate, University of New Mexico
Yá’át’ééh! My name is April Brannon Yazza. I am of the Red Running into the Water People clan, born for the A:shiwi people, and I am originally from Tsayatoh, New Mexico on the Navajo Nation. Today I serve communities across Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

I am a doctoral candidate in the Native Americans in Educational Leadership program at the University of New Mexico, where our work centers Indigenous pedagogy, community-rooted research, and leadership grounded in cultural values. I am also a proud NACA-Inspired Schools Network... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session C

2:45pm MDT

Healing With, Not Just For
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
Our session will be with Cecelia (Acoma) and Shayai Lucero (Acoma/Laguna), Native American Mother and Daughter from New Mexico. Cecelia and Shayai will share their deep knowledge of plant medicine, curanderismo, wellness and regulation strategies so educators and administrators can integrate and nurture themselves on their paths beyond the symposium.
Presentation Objectives include:
* Contemplate ways to integrate wellness into Science curriculum
* Learn about and consider incorporation of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives within the classroom
* Practice strategies for self-regulation and restoration to mitigate effects of teaching burn-out
Speakers
avatar for Shayai Lucero (Acoma)
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session C

2:45pm MDT

ISI 101
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
In this session, participants will learn about the story of the Indigenous Science Initiative, from early days in 2023 to the launch of the open-access curriculum. There will be an opportunity to hear the story of the project as well as to explore the resources and start thinking about how to adapt or localize the resources in diverse contexts.
Speakers
avatar for Paul LeFrancois

Paul LeFrancois

K12 Education Program Coordinator, LANL Foundation
Driven by a passion for place-based teaching and learning and a deep belief in public education, Paul LeFrancois serves as the K12 Education Program Manager for the LANL Foundation. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating the Indigenous Science Initiative and the National... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session C

2:45pm MDT

Native Lit Student's: Taking the Experience Home with Paloma & Agalisiga
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
Learn about Paloma's experience in NativeLit as a middle school student at NACA and how it has impacted her life. Then will transition to how Paloma and her partner Agalisiga now center Indigenous-centered literacy in their roles as parents, educators, Cherokee language learners, and creators (books and music). Audience members can also ask questions. May be especially beneficial to schools, specifically immersion schools, or other indigenous-centered schools who are beginning their NativeLit programs.
Speakers
avatar for Agalisiga Mackey (Cherokee)

Agalisiga Mackey (Cherokee)

Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey is a Cherokee guitarist/musician and singer/songwriter from the Cherokee Nation in Northeast Oklahoma. Mackey spent the early years of his life growing up on a creek bank in the small traditional Cherokee community of Kenwood, OK. Mackey grew up participating... Read More →
avatar for Olivia Martinez (Kickapoo, Pyramid Lake Paiute, and Hispanic)

Olivia Martinez (Kickapoo, Pyramid Lake Paiute, and Hispanic)

Olivia “Liv” Martinez (she/her) is Kickapoo, Pyramid Lake Paiute, and Hispanic, born and raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley. Her early connection to land and community shaped her passion for outdoor education and working with youth. Now serving as Program Manager at Nature... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session C

2:45pm MDT

Our Landscapes: Our Stories
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
An informative session learning about the amazing cultural landscapes of the National Park Service. Our landscapes are a text and tell stories. Connecting the geographical and cultural stories of the places to the classroom in Native Literature and Indigenous Science curriculum contents.
Speakers
avatar for Diane Chavarria

Diane Chavarria

Kha'p'o Community School
“Learning is a never-ending and exciting adventure” is the motto that paves the way of Diane's life. She is a proud wife and mother of four boys who are from the Santa Clara Pueblo. With a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the Pennsylvania State University, she pursued a background... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session C

2:45pm MDT

Service in Science
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
In this session, participants will consider how science can provide an opportunity for meaningful ways to incorporate service opportunities for students to directly inform and impact their community. Participants will look at a variety of practices to make learning visible that offer students genuine and authentic opportunities to demonstrate their learning. Participants will ground themselves in a service mindset and consider how science classes can better support stewardship of the Land.
Speakers
avatar for Tylar Rodriguez

Tylar Rodriguez

Phoenix International Academy
Tylar Rodriguez currently works and lives in South Phoenix. He is an experienced educator at Phoenix International Academy and has participated in the Indigenous Science Initiative of the last 3 years as a curriculum writer and mentor.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session C

2:45pm MDT

The Voices of Us: Honoring Stories and American Identity
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
In this hands-on session, participants will explore storytelling as a way to understand identity, culture, and what it means to be American. Through interviews, stories, poetry, and photography, participants step into the role of the student, experiencing how personal and cultural narratives reveal diverse perspectives. Together, we will honor and respect that each person’s definition of “American” is unique, and leave with practical strategies to bring land-based, identity-centered storytelling into any classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Abbie Winter

Abbie Winter

Regional Facilitator/Coach, Albuquerque Public Schools
Abbie Winter is a passionate educator and facilitator who believes classrooms should echo with story, voice, and possibility. With over 20 years of experience rooted in project-based learning, she creates spaces where students think critically, create boldly, and find their place... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:45pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA
  Breakout Session C
 
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4th Annual Indigenous Education Symposium
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