Indigenous Schools Initiative "Opens the eyes" of local School Board

Exciting education news seems to be coming quickly these days in New Mexico Indian Country.

The Gallup Indigenous School Initiative (GISI) is the newest “Indigenous Education” charter opportunity to come to Northwestern New Mexico. The charter has submitted its letter of intent to the NMPED, the first step in a charter process. The school plans to open to 6^th and 7^th graders in 2016, eventually expanding to 6-12. As part of the Native American Community Academy (NACA)-Inspired school network, the school’s mission is to “To re-imagine the school experience for American Indian students by building a school through a community-led design process within the Native American community around Gallup, NM that reflects the strengths, aspirations, values, and history of that community” (http://gisi.weebly.com/).

GISI, spearheaded by the founding team of Ben Soce, Masika Sweetwyne, and Lane Towery, gave an initial presentation to the GMCS school board on Tuesday, January 20. The founding team elaborated on the Native identity-affirming principles of the school, STEAM curriculum model, and ongoing work in the Gallup community-led design process.

“You’ve opened our eyes,” said Board President Joe Menini following the presentation.

Read more about GISI here.