American Indian Education

News & Announcements

Scrubs Camp Flyer
SCRUBS CAMP

Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration Day Camp

June 11-13, 2025

Hosted by Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (Cloquet, MN)

Students attending the camp will:

  • Experience cultural activities
  • Explore careers in a variety of healthcare fields
  • Engage with Tribal community healthcare professionals
  • Become CPR and First Aid Certified
  • Go on fun excursion and other activities

Applications are NOW open for Minnesota students entering grades 9-12. Through the generous support of our partners, there is no cost to participants. 

*Preference will be given to American Indian/Alaska Native students.

Transportation stipends are available for students residing 35+ miles from campus. 

Honoring Health, Wellness, and Tradition

Apply at https://bit.ly/SCRUBSCamps

For more information, please contact:
Brenda Shafer-Pellinen at bsharerpellinen@ardc.org
Important Ethnic/Racial Form Information

Tribal Nations Education Committee (TNEC) finds it critically important to educate parents about American Indian student count and "consequences" of how they complete (check boxes) when identifying their child/children's "ethnicity/race." TNEC recommends the following information be shared/disseminated to all stakeholders and to also have it included on the data collection form:   When filling out the Ethnic and Racial Demographic Designation Form  

  1. If you mark/check the box with anything other than "American Indian" your child will not be counted as American Indian.  
  2. If you check more than one category including "American Indian" your child will be considered "multi-racial" and will not be counted as American Indian.
  3. If you leave the "ethnicity/race" box blank, your child will automatically be counted as "White."

To not offer the above information to the parents and other stakeholders is a disservice and would be detrimental in achieving an accurate American Indian student count. 

Boozhoo/Aneen Hello or Hi in Ojibwe. Biindigaw come on in.


Mission: Improve American Indian (AI) student achievement and graduation rates through academically rigorous, culturally responsive instruction, family and student engagement and collaborative partnerships with school and community.


Vision: All AI students are empowered as lifelong learners to become fully engaged leaders, stewards, and citizens.


Some of the support and services provided by the AI Education Department are:
Academic Support

  • Tutoring & Education Instruction Assistants
  • Ojibwe Culture Classes (Language/Culture/History/Traditions)
  • Paraprofessionals
  • College & Career Opportunities
  • Specialized Support


Activities

  • Quiz Bowl
  • Drum & Dance Team
  • Annual Powwow
  • American Indian Student Council
  • Young Artists/Young Writers Competition


Parent Committees: 
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC)
Johnson O’Malley (JOM) Committee

To explore our entire department, click on the American Indian Education Department Resources button below.
 Miigwetch~ thank you!
 

Upcoming Events

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AIE Middle School student attending a daisy chain class.
AIE Middle School students making a daisy chain.
American Indian Education students participating in a dream catcher class.
Student talking with the military recruiter at Zorbaz Military Career Event.
DLHS and ALC Students at NDSU's Indigenous Student Day.
Students in a canoe on land participating in a wild rice processing demonstration
Students in boats gathering wild rice.

Contact Information

picture of Joe Carrier
Joe Carrier
American Indian Education
Program Coordinator

 

Renee Kerzman
Renee Kerzman
Director of Curriculum,
Instruction and Technology

 

picture of Melanie Holmquist
Melanie Holmquist
American Indian
College & Career Facilitator
Shelley Skarie
Shelley Skarie
American Indian Education
Program Assistant