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American Indian Education

American Indian Education aims to support the academic achievements of American Indian students by advocating for culturally informed instructional strategies, engaging families and students, and establishing cooperative relationships with departments, schools, and the community.

2026-2027 AIPAC Events & Meetings

  • August AIPAC Meeting: Monday, August 17th, 5:30 PM, Franklin Auditorium
  • Beginning of Year Celebration: Friday, September 18th, 4:30-6:30 PM, Roberts Floyd Pavilion @ Land of Memories
  • October AIPAC Meeting: Tuesday, October 20th, 5:30 PM, Franklin Media Center
  • January AIPAC Meeting: Tuesday, January 19th, 5:30 PM, Franklin Media Center
  • February AIPAC School Board Presentation: Monday, February 1st, 5:30 PM, Mankato Room IGC
  • March AIPAC Meeting: Tuesday, March 16th, 5:30 PM, Franklin Media Center
  • End of Year Celebration: Sunday, May 16th, 5:30 PM, Pizza Ranch

Every September 30th is the time of the year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes and forced to attend church-run-residential schools between the 1830s and 1990s. These schools stripped generations of youth of their families, languages, cultures, and traditions. The movement began with Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, taken from her on her first day at a residential school in BC at just six years old. The shirt was never returned, symbolzing the dignity, identity, and childhoods stolen from Indigenous children. Wearing orange stands in solidarity with survivors, supports truth and reconciliation, and reaffirms that Every Child Matters. 

Young boy wearing a backpack and an orange Every Child Matters t-shirt smiling against a white wall.
People standing in an office room sorting orange t-shirts at tables in front of large window blinds.
Young boy with glasses wearing an orange Every Child Matters t-shirt and backpack near a tiled wall.
Two women work with bright orange t-shirts in an office with a 'BIG ideas grow HERE' wall art decal.

American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC)

The AIPAC works with the American Indian Education Coordinator and Home School Liaison to serve an advisory role for the American Indian Education program. Meals and childcare are provided for all meetings.

AIPAC Roles, Responsibilities, and Bylaws

A young student in a field receives a small purple flower from an adult's hand.
A young Indigenous girl stands indoors, smiling slightly, wearing a purple %22Champion%22 hoodie and a light blue patterned skirt with ribbon detailing. A matching blue fabric bag with a long strap is draped over her right shoulder. She is facing the viewer with her hands behind her back. The background shows a classroom or workspace with tables, chairs, and various objects.
Two young Indigenous women pose indoors, both making peace signs. They wear patterned skirts, with one in a black top and the other in a dark cropped top.
A young Indigenous woman in beaded regalia stands on a grassy field, holding a white feathered fan. She faces the viewer with a neutral expression.

Contacts

Ayasha Williams
American Indian Home School Liaison
awilli4@isd77.org

Winona Williams 
American Indian Home School Liaison
wwilli1@isd77.org
 

Jocie DeSutter
Student Support Coordinator
507-207-4061
jdesut1@isd77.org
 

An Indigenous woman paints a medicine wheel on another young woman's face.