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Posted on: 11/21/24
The U.S. Department of Education provides funding to the Indian Education Formula Grant (Title VI), which supports the efforts of school districts, Indian tribes and organizations, postsecondary institutions, and other groups to meet the unique educational and culturally related needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students.
Stacey Moretti, Diversity and Inclusion project manager for
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, said the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works closely with the district’s Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee (IEPAC) to identify focus areas the grant should cover for identified CMS students. Support could include tutoring assistance, cultural experiences, guest speakers and post-graduation readiness. They also partner with the Metrolina Native American Association to help connect schools with community resources.
“We’ve worked with them for many years, and they provide us guidance and support,” said Moretti.
During her time on the IEPAC, Kelli Wallace, assistant principal at Palisades Park Elementary School, has been impressed with the committee’s contributions to the district’s Title VI grant program and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Wallace — originally from Lumberton in Robeson County, N.C. — grew up in the “hub” for the Lumbee tribe. Since moving to Charlotte, she has found a community of families who all believe in the advocacy of students in CMS who identify as Native American or Alaska Native.
“In order to create a sense of safety and belonging, that awareness has to happen in conversations,” said Wallace. “Having a child understand how they contribute to the makeup of their classroom, what they bring to the table, how important it is that they start feeling good about themselves and for their friends to start understanding more about who they are — it creates kindness and curiosity, which can only be a good thing for our students and their families as well.”
Moretti said they also work with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s American Indian Educator director. Through the state’s director, Moretti is able to coordinate with other North Carolina school districts that utilize the Title VI grant.
“There are some districts that have a very large population — like in Robeson County where the Lumbee tribe is —- that can share best practices and how to get our families more engaged with the program so we can reach more students and help them grow and learn and so they can graduate on time and be ready for whatever their path is,” said Moretti.
And although not covered by the grant, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion holds a poster contest throughout the month that allows all CMS students the opportunity to share information they’ve researched for Native American Heritage Month, which is recognized in November.
Wallace’s son Kamden, a second grader at Palisades Park Elementary, won last year’s poster contest with his submission “Good Medicine.” It focused on his tribe’s medicine wheel and what it means to him.
“The best part was being able to share in front of my class,” said Kamden of his project.
“I was really impressed with the department being able to turn his poster into a framed picture, which makes him feel like it’s really important,” added Wallace. “It was hanging on the wall of our school for everyone who walked in to see it, and that makes a difference. He’s one child, but if one child can talk to a classroom of 22 children and teach them about his tribe, they will begin to feel that his tribe is just as important as he does."
Listen below to additional interviews from Moretti, Wallace and Kamden.
