“Conversation was never begun at once, nor in a hurried manner. No one was quick with a question, no matter how important, and no one was pressed for an answer. A pause giving time for thought was the truly courteous way of beginning and conducting a conversation. Silence was meaningful with the Lakota, and his granting a space of silence to the speech-maker and his own moment of silence before talking was done in the practice of true politeness and regard for the rule that “thought comes before speech.” 

Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux Chief.

Artwork by Sharon Cummings

Greetings to All!

This issue of the Buzz features resources you can use in reaching out to and providing information and training to Native American communities, tribes, and families. As you know, hundreds of Native American tribes are, in and of themselves, sovereign nations within the United States, even as they are fellow American citizens. This truth can make outreach to and relationship building with Native American families a multicultural journey that calls for sensitivity to Native culture and values. CPIR cares deeply about the welfare of the indigenous peoples who were here long before anyone else. It’s an honor to support Parent Centers as they reach out to one of the nation’s most underserved communities.

To that end, this Buzz brings you exciting news that the 3rd learning tier of the Native American Resource Collection is now up on the Hub! We spotlight 3 resources in Tier 3 you will find especially useful when working with Native youth with disabilities. We’re also pleased to include 2 nuggets of hot news that Parent Centers can use and share with all their families.

Our best to you all,
The CPIR Team | Debra, Debi, Lisa, Sitara, and Myriam

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Tier 3 of This Valuable Collection Goes Up!

CPIR is very pleased to unveil Tier 3 of the Native American Resource Collection—Working with Native Children and Youth. Tier 3 materials are designed to support Parent Centers as they conduct outreach to and interact with Native youth who have disabilities.

We’d like to point you to 3 of our favorites in this tier, although we love ’em all!

What’s Important to Native Youth?
Do you know? Find out in the infographic and brief developed to summarize the findings of a survey of Native youth and what they had to say. It will certainly inform your outreach to and work with youth.

Reinforcing Resilience: How Parent Centers Can Support American Indian and Alaska Native Parents
Considering the traumas that indigenous peoples have survived all these years and the current challenges they face, resilience is an essential quality to have. Here’s how Parent Centers can add value and vigor to an essence that has historically been integral in Native life.

Bouncing Back from Setbacks: A Message for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth
This brief is written directly to Native youth, as if it were a letter coming from the local Parent Center. It highlights 10 skills known to be builders of resilience in youth. Also available online in HTML.

We hope you enjoy the multicultural journey that all of the resources in Working with Native Children and Youth will take you on!

Your Help Wanted!

The Region D PTAC is searching for tools that your Center may have developed or found that can help families track their child’s progress on their IEP. We are gathering examples to share that all Parent Centers can use as they help families get ready for school to resume.

Please send any tools you have or know of to: Nora Thompson, Region D PTAC:
nthompson@peakparent.org

 

Hot News!

Will Your Schools Re-Open? What’s the Plan, Stan?
Johns Hopkins University has launched a new tracker that analyzes school reopening plans across the country. The tool examines whether or not each state reopening plan addresses a dozen different issues. You can also download state plans directly from the tracker. How timely, eh?

2020 Determination Letters on State Implementation of IDEA
How well are the states and territories implementing IDEA? The 2020 determination letters will tell you. (Can you guess who received the “needs intervention” determination for the ninth year in a row?!)

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Publication of this eNewsletter is made possible through Cooperative Agreement H328R180005 between OSEP and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN). The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.