The American Indian Education Program is committed to working together with parents and families in order to meet the unique educational and cultural needs of students of American Indian heritage.
The goals and activities are determined with assistance and guidance provided by the District's American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) as well as ongoing community needs assessments conducted by the program. If you are interested in joining the Parent Committee and/or learning more about the American Indian Education Program, please contact our office.
Who is eligible to participate?
Any student who self identifies as American Indian and is coded North American Indian on Infinite Campus is eligible to participate in the District’s American Indian Education Program. There is no cost to participate and all services are free of charge.
What is a “506 Indian Student Eligibility Certification Form?”
506 forms are used to apply and qualify for a grant from the Federal Office of Indian Education. The form allows the school district to leverage funding to support American Indian students by providing programming, books and services.
Families are not required to fill out a 506 form to participate. However, filling out a form helps provide funding that make American Indian Education services and programming possible.
Who is eligible to fill out a 506 form? Any student who is:
- an enrolled member of a tribe
- has a parent who is an enrolled member of a tribe
- has a grandparent who is an enrolled member of a tribe
If possible, please fill out the 506 Indian Student Eligibility Certification Form. This fully CONFIDENTIAL document allows the school district to leverage funding to support American Indian students and will be kept on file at the District’s Indian Education Office.
- Family events
- Culturally specific activities for students and families
- Checking and connecting with students in need at the secondary level
- Access to supportive relationships
- IEP support
- Youth development activities
- Life skills guidance
- Lending library - all Native authors!
- Postsecondary preparation
- Community gatherings
- Out-of-school programming
- Culturally relevant professional development
- Classroom resource support
The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) is a dedicated group of parents, grandparents and caregivers of American Indian children. High school students are also encouraged to participate.
The committee serves as a vital link between the American Indian community and Bloomington Public Schools.
For more information, please contact the Indian Education Office at 952-806-7954.
Current Parent Committee Members
- Louis Garrett (Chair)
- Carla Jackson
- Jennifer Tangness
- Student Representative: Veronica Jackson
2023-24 Organizational Meeting Dates
- Oct. 11
- Nov. 8
- Dec. 13
- Jan. 10
- Feb. 14
- March 13
- April 25
- May 8
April 2024 Events
How to say "April" in Dakota and Ojibwe
Dakota: Maġa Okada Wi - Geese Egg Laying Moon
Ojibwe: Iskigamizige-Giizis - Boiling Sap Moon
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Meeting
Please join us for our monthly AIPAC meeting. High school students are encouraged to attend.
When: April 25, 2024, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pond Early Learning Center, 9600 3rd Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55420
Family Field Trip
Join us for a fun day at the Dakota Pond Mission House in Bloomington learning about bison! Representatives from the Prairie Island Sioux Community Bison Project will have several hands-on stations set up to learn about our relationship with Tatanka (bison) and all its traditional uses.
Where: Pond-Dakota Mission House (401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420). Please meet the AIE team at the Pond-Dakota Mission House as there will not be provided transportation.
When: April 27, 2024
Activity from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Lunch from 12 - 12:30 p.m.
*This event is for our American Indian families enrolled in Bloomington Public Schools.
May 2024 Events
How to say "May" in Dakota and Ojibwe
Dakota: Wozupi Wi - Planting Moon
Ojibwe: Zaagibagaa-Giizis - Flower Budding Moon
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Meeting
Please join us for our last AIPAC meeting of the school year. High school students are encouraged to attend.
When: May 8, 2024, 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Pond Early Learning Center, 9600 3rd Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55420
Graduation Celebration
Please join us in celebrating our graduating seniors! There will be a student recognition and honoring followed up with an ice cream social.
Where: Oak Grove Middle School ESC Board Room (1350 W 106th St, Bloomington, MN, 55431)
When: May 2, 2024
Graduate Honoring begins at 6:30 p.m.
*This event is for our American Indian families enrolled in Bloomington Public Schools.
Contact
Hiedi Hecker
American Indian Education Coordinator
952-806-7954
hhecker@isd271.org
Clarissa Seidl
American Indian Education Specialist
952-806-7953
cseidl@isd271.org
Marissa Johnson
American Indian Education Specialist
952-681-6284
mjohnson14@isd271.org
American Indian Education, ISD 271
Pond Center
9600 3rd Avenue South, Room 205B
Bloomington, MN 55420