The National Museum of the American Indian is pleased to welcome Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland as the keynote speaker at the 2023 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Teach-In. Mr. Newland’s presentation highlights the connection between boarding school research conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the efforts to support language and cultural revitalization in Indian Country today. He also explores the concept of Indigenous peoples’ education sovereignty. What does education sovereignty look like in a modern context and how can teachers become allies with students in the classroom by imparting lessons, inspiration, and empowerment?
Originally aired September 2023.
Bryan Newland is an enrolled member of the Bay Mills Indian Community, a federally recognized Ojibwe (Chippewa) tribe in Michigan, and the fourteenth assistant secretary for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 7, 2021, and a ceremonial swearing in by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was held on September 8, 2021. The assistant secretary for Indian Affairs assists the secretary of the Interior in fulfilling the department’s trust responsibilities to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and individuals.
Learn more about the museum's education initiative Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) and access resources, lesson plans, and sign up for future professional development opportunities: americanindian.si.edu/nk360