New Hope for End of Chicago Public Schools Strike

In Meantime Kids Remain Off School

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

CHICAGO – The Chicago Teachers Union has summoned 700 teacher delegates today at 2:00 pm cdt to vote on a new contract, which will hopefully end the first strike in the nation's third largest school district in 25 years.

Chicago Public Schools Strike Ji Hae (r) with her best friend supporting their
teachers at Edison Regional Gifted Center

If ratified school is expected to back in session on Monday morning.

Chicago Public Schools teachers have been on strike all week, which meant the almost 350,000 students have not been in school. Within the Chicago Public Schools there are reportedly 16,166 American Indian students enrolled.

At least two American Indian parents in Chicago have used the strike as an educational moment for their children.

Chicago Public School teacher Nicole Lombardi, Lumbee, has been on the picket line with her son, Martin Nico, at various times throughout the week.

“I think it is important so he sees us standing up for what we believe in,”

commented Lombardi.

“He asked me what this is all about. I told him this is about our conditions in the schools too. His school has air conditioning. Where I work it can get 95 degrees or higher.”

Another American Indian parent weighed in on the taking her child to the picket line:

“As a parent, I'm using the CTU(Chicago Teachers Union) strike as an educational moment for my daughter. Yes she would rather be in school, but she understands why the teachers have to strike. We stand in full support of her teachers and we've joined them on the picket line everyday,”

Debra Pappan, Jemez Pueblo/Korean, commented to the Native News Network on Thursday evening.

Chicago Public Schools Strike Teacher Nicole Lombardi, Lumbee, with Son Martin Nico

“She realizes how lucky she is that her school has a library, a full time fine arts teacher, and a climate controlled environment. We wonder why every student in the district can't say the same about their schools? Where's the equity?”