303: Education For Everyone: Native Ways of Knowing
1:45-2:45pm
Youth Track
Mbish
Ballroom D
Education for Everyone: Native Ways of Knowing* reflects a shared commitment to bringing Indigenous knowledge into public educational spaces. Rooted in Anishinaabe teachings and guided by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, this course affirms that Indigenous knowledge is a living system that strengthens identity, equity, and community.
Co‑taught by an Indigenous knowledge keeper and a local school teacher, the course models reciprocity and collaboration in practice. Developed in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education through its Future Proud Educators Program and EXPLORE Curriculum, Mt. Pleasant Public Schools, Central Michigan University, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, and Indigenous community members, it demonstrates the power of relationships. When tribes, state agencies, and districts work together, education becomes a space of accountability and care tightly woven for the benefit of all learners.
Students engage in storytelling, ceremony, talking circles, and land‑based learning, connecting ancestral knowledge to contemporary challenges in equity and justice. They learn that education is relational—built on respect for self, others, and the land—and that their voices matter in shaping inclusive communities that extend into their daily lives. This course shows how Indigenous knowledge, carried forward through strong partnerships, can guide public education toward a future of inclusion and shared responsibility.
In this session and beyond, we honor the knowledge of our ancestors, families, communities, and tribal nations while planting the seeds for future generations of knowledge keepers and teachers.
Lead By:
Waabanoqua (Judy D. Pamp), (Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan) Indigenous Educator and Knowledge Keeper, Co-Teacher, Mt. Pleasant Public Schools and High School
Waabanoqua, also known as Judy Pamp (Stevens), is a citizen of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and was born into a bicultural Anishinaabe and German heritage family. A proud first‑generation student, she was the first in her family to graduate high school and later earned degrees from Central Michigan University. Judy now serves Mt. Pleasant Public Schools as Indigenous Education Mentor and Education Specialist. She has taught grades 4–8, served as a principal, and led at the Ziibiwing Center. An author, water walker, and Nokomis, she teaches Anishinaabe arts, culture, and language—each word an act of resilience and empowerment.
Ms. Margie Dexter, English Teacher, Mt. Pleasant High School
Margie Dexter has been a dedicated educator at Mt. Pleasant Public Schools for over 30 years, demonstrating a deep-rooted commitment to student growth and professional leadership. This year, she continues her impact by joining Judy Pamp in teaching Education for Everyone, a role that builds on her decades of classroom experience. Throughout her tenure, Margie has remained a vital leader within the school community, serving as a Class Advisor, leading the Rotary’s Interact Club, and holding numerous influential roles within the Mt. Pleasant Education Association. Her career is a testament to her steadfast advocacy for both her students and the teaching profession.