How to Integrate IEFA & NGSS
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The three keys to integrating IEFA & NGSS
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Use Primary Documents and Sources: Look for videos, reports, websites, quotes, etc… that come from tribes and tribal members. The best place to start is by visiting individual tribes websites. Many tribes have Natural Resource and Wildlife Management Departments that have valuable information for science educators.
Focus on the Essential Understandings: The essential understandings are the seven guiding principles for IEFA. As you create lessons if you use the Essential Understandings your lessons should contain Multiple Perspectives, demonstrate the Importance of Culture, and help your students better Understand Sovereignty.
Focus on the Science Practices: The Science and Engineering Practices are the eight skills that all scientists must be able to perform. Like the Essential Understandings you might use more then a few in each of your lessons but try to focus on just one or two that you specifically discuss with you students.
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What is unique about the Montana Science Content Standards? American Indians are integrated into several of the NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas. Some examples of this can be seen in the following standards.
analyze scientific concepts used by American Indians to maintain healthy relationships with environmental resources.
investigate and explain how some American Indian tribes use scientific knowledge and practices in managing natural resources.
investigate and explain American Indian perspectives on changes in environmental conditions and their impacts
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Examples of Primary Documents
These documents have a lot of information but can be a great starting point in making sure to use tribally created documents and resources.
CCT Wolf Management Plan
Colville Confederated Tribes
Wolf management plan created by the Colville Confederated Tribes, "in order to establish management goals and maintain a balance of predators and the subsistence needs of the Tribal Membership..."
CSKT Wolf Management Plan
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Wolf management plan created by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. In order to minimize conflicts on the reservation and to support "a balanced ecosystem, and according to the Salish & Pend d’Oreille Tribal Elders, the wolf is considered to be a vital part of the ecosystem. They believe that the wolf takes sickness away from the game herds, therefore helping the herds to maintain overall herd health."
Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Blackfeet Nation
This plan was created by the Blackfeet Nation in 2018. "Through climate adaptation planning the Blackfeet Nation leadership is actively seeking to protect our communities and diverse ecosystems from the impacts of a rapidly changing climate."
CSKT Climate Change Strategic Plan
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
This plan was created in 2013 as a way to take "an early step towards addressing the impacts of climate change on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. This initiative’s purpose is to improve the Tribal community and Natural Resources resiliency by effectively informing climate change impact planning decisions made by the Tribes."
Examples of Videos and Links
These videos and links have a lot of information and provide a small example of the resources that are available and can be easily integrated into the science classroom.
Tribal Scientist Shanny Spang Gion
Northern Cheyenne and Crow
Shanny discusses her career as a scientist and how her culture plays a role in the way she has continued her education and conducts her research.
Tribal Elders' Climate Change Observations
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Six elders from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes share their observations of the land and the animals as they have changed over time.
In the Spirit of Atatice
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
The story of bison on the Flathead Indian Reservation
Animal Field Guide: Flathead Reservation Riparian Species
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
IOS and Android APP about:
Riparian Animal Species, Tribal Language Names, Cultural Significance, and Sensitivity to Climate Change
CSKT's Online Educational Resources
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
This website contains learning modules that are designed to provide more information about the Salish and Kootenai people and the natural world. It includes the modules Fire on the Land, Explore the River, and Living Landscapes. These modules are an exemplar in how traditional ecological knowledge and western science can work together to create a deeper understanding of a topic.