American Indians Celebrate Education in Chicago

by Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Susan Kelly Power, Sioux

CHICAGO - Susan Kelly Power, Sioux, 87, recounted to a crowd of Chicago American Indian parents and students on Sunday how when she first arrived in Chicago 69 years ago from the Standing Rock Sioux of Fort Yates in North Dakota, American Indians enrolled in night classes to further their educations.

Power, known as the Gathering of Storm Clouds Woman, said the invocation at an event to celebrate American Indian education.

“We went to night school to better ourselves,”

said Power.

“And, we learned to work together.”

Power was one of the founders of the American Indian Center in Chicago in 1953. It is the oldest urban American Indian center in the country.

Today's Chicago American Indians are committed to bettering themselves, as well, through education.

2010-2011 Achievement Award Celebration

An excited Jolene Aleck, Paiute, director of the Chicago American Indian Education Program - Title VII, told a crowd of American Indian parents and students her program is re-funded for next year, without the need for revisions.

The crowd took time out of their busy Sunday to attend the 2010 - 2011 Achievement Award Celebration at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago.

"They are your children, we want to do good job for them," said Debra Yepa-Pappan, Jemez Pueblo, Youth Development Specialist as she announced the T7 American Indian Education's Summer program, which will run for two-weeks beginning June 20.

The two programs are broken down for K-6th graders and 7th-12th graders.

The younger group can participate in Geography 2011, which will involve several field trips to visit Chicago landmarks, including a boat ride up the Chicago River and on Lake Michigan.

The older students can participate in Environmental Consciousness, which will include: ropes and rock climbing, urban environmental projects, including field trips to the North Park Village Nature Center, Chicago History Museum, Green City Farmers Market and the Field Museum.

The Chicago American Indian Education Program - Title VII provides year-round academic support to American Indian students. Programs include: after-school tutoring, ACT Test Preparation Course and the T7 Summer Program.

“We try to provide high-quality programs to our Indian students,”

said Aleck.

Students received certificates for the achievements during the current school year, which is coming to an end next week.

Sunday's crowd of over 125 proved the American Indian parents and students feel education is about celebration, as well as hard work studying.

posted June 7, 2011 10:37 am et