Agenda

Experiencing the Learning Bundle Together: NACIC Pre-Conference Session

Hosted by the Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Departments (CMTED) with the Indigenous Education Initiative (IEI)

FireKeepers Casino Hotel, Battle Creek, MI CMTED & IEI invite participants to move through the learning bundle as it was intended—through story, relationship, and shared reflection. Explore the teachings, resources, and connections held within the bundle, and experience how they live together in practice.

Approval for continuing education credits (SCECH) for Michigan educators is pending.

This session is not sponsored by MIEC.

Reception

Come join us for a relaxing evening of music and light refreshments at our conference reception featuring the tribal progressive band Waawiyeyaa.

Breakfast & Registration

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Welcome & Keynote: Ishpiming

William Morin (Ojibwa Anishinaabek, Mishibigwadinong / Michipicoten First Nation Citizen), Artist / Educator / Traditional Storyteller, B.F.A., B.A., B.Ed., M.A., Ph.D. (abd), Laurentian University Ph.D. Candidate

Break

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101: Education As a Tool To Heal from Domestic Violence

Samantha R Brown (Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa), Community Outreach Specialist, Uniting Three Fires Against Violence

102: Sending a Message Through Music

Dr. Martin Reinhardt (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Leader singer/song writer, Waawiyeyaa

Tom Biron (Kitigaunseebing [Garden River] First Nation), Guitarist, Waawiyeyaa

Jud Sojourn, Guitarist/Vocalist, Waawiyeyaa

Danny Garceau (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Traditionalist Flutist/Vocalist, Waawiyeyaa

Karen Moses (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Hand Drum/Vocalist, Waawiyeyaa

Joe Dowd (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community) Bassist, Waawiyeyaa

103: Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the Age of AI: Walking in Two Worlds

Courtney Lewis (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians [LTBB]), Student Advisor, Waganakising Odawa Career and Technical Education Program, LTBB

Break

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201: Strengthening Community-Led Suicide Prevention for Future Generations

Dr. Elizabeth Evans (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community), Research Faculty, University of Michigan-Institute for Social Research

202: Big Heart Beats

Christopher Yepez (Anishinaabe [Ojibwe + Potawatomi]), Walpole Island First Nation, Thunderbird Clan), Music Artist & Educator, Big Heart Beats

203: NiizhwaaswiKinoomaagewag: 7 Teachings & Gift of Wisdom

William Morin (Ojibwa Anishinaabek, Mishibigwadinong / Michipicoten First Nation Citizen), Artist / Educator / Traditional Storyteller, B.F.A., B.A., B.Ed., M.A., Ph.D. (abd), Laurentian University Ph.D. Candidate

Lunch

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301: Impact of U.S. Indian Boarding Schools on Present-Day Child-Rearing

Suzanne L. Cross (Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan), Associate Professor emeritus - MSU, Native American Artist and Private Consultant

302: Tribal Governance Capacity Building with a University Partner: Lessons from Southwest Michigan

Sam Morseau (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi), Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Secretary, Western Michigan University, Tribal Governance Faculty

Robin C. Greymountain (Sault Tribe of Chippewa), Director, Kalamazoo Adult Education, Western Michigan University, doctoral student and graduate of Tribal Governance Certificate Program

Jamie Stuck (Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi), Faculty - Tribal Governance Certificate Program, Western Michigan University

303: Education For Everyone: Native Ways of Knowing

Waabanoqua (Judy D. Pamp), (Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan) Indigenous Educator and Knowledge Keeper, Co-Teacher, Mt. Pleasant Public Schools and High School

Ms. Margie Dexter, English Teacher, Mt. Pleasant High School

Break

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401: Testimony from a Boarding School Survivor

Linda Raye Cobe (Lac Vieux Desert), MPA

402: Midwest Comprehensive Center & The Federal Technical Assistance Ecosystem

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403: Rebuilding a University Native Student Organization: An Intergenerational Approach

Robin Christine Greymountain (Sault Tribe of Chippewa), Director - Kalamazoo Adult Education Program, Elder in Residence at WMU

Shabanaa Mary Bush (Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians), Aerospace Engineering Student; NASO Secretary; former NASO President; WALI Chief Engineer / Mission Control Officer

Jordan Morseau (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi), President - Native American Student Organization, Western Michigan University

Break

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501: 2026 Boarding School Report

This session is a review of the Michigan Boarding School Report.

502: Ensuring Authenticity in Art, Words, and Actions

Jodi Biimskanodin Branton (Aamjiwnaang First Nation) Cultural Consultant, Awishinaabe

503: Finding Balance: Thunderbird and Underwater Panther

Punkin Shananaquet (Potawatomi and Ojibwe), Lifegiver and Firekeeper, Three Fires Confederacy

Friday Closing Announcements & Saturday Housekeeping

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Beading Workshop with Emily Sorroche

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Continental Breakfast

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What's next for our Native Students in Education?

Eva Menefee (Oneida of the Thames Band), President, Michigan Indian Education Council (MIEC)

Break

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601: Nimiigwechwendam Nibiish (I am thankful for water) Collaborative LTBB Youth Camp

Amanda Weinert (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa), PK-12 Tribal Student Advocate, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Education Department

Eli Baker, Education Manager, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

602: Widoké (Making Community): Building a Legacy through Culture and Education

Karen Bos, Tribal Librarian - Gun Lake Tribe

Meagan Uber, Education Assistant - Gun Lake Tribe

Andrea Heidtman (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community), Higher Education Specialist - Gun Lake Tribe

603: Groove Dancefloor Experience

Paula Finfrock (Citizen of The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Indigenous Education Consultant and Certified Groove Method® Facilitator - Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District

Break

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Lunch & MIEC Distinguished Service Award Presentation

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