"Native Ways of Knowing" Summary
Rally 2006 was the result of careful planning and hard work by the CENAC Rally
Planning Committee and NMTC staff. The August Rally Planning and September
CENAC meetings determined the theme: Problem Solving the Native Way. An Art
Contest in October resulted in the featured artwork, which is by a San Felipe Pueblo
Elementary student. By November, potential Rally presenters had submitted workshop
proposals. Rally pre-registration was done online and completed by the beginning of
January. Registration information was shared with each principal, and late registration
ended January 18. By that date, 95% of registration was complete. Pre-registration
packets –with keynote speaker information, SFIS maps, evaluation forms, agendas, and
Rally t-shirts – were delivered to each CENAC school the week of February 13. Because
of the pre-registration process, on February 17, 2006, the Rally began smoothly in the
beautiful SFIS Abeyta Gym.
This year’s Rally served 451 CENAC staff members with 20 different workshops and 10
different strands. CENAC bus drivers had a full eight-hour required training. Other staff
attended the two-hour general session and at least one workshop that focused on
mathematics, science, and/or community-based education (CBE).
The day started with a continental breakfast and an invocation given by former Governor
of Taos Pueblo, Tony Reyna. Santa Fe Indian School’s Superintendent Joseph Abeyta,
on behalf of SFIS’s New Mexico Tribal Coalition, presented each CENAC school
principal with a plaque honoring their work to improve mathematics and science
achievement in cooperation with NMTC. In turn, the CENAC principals presented Mr.
Abeyta with a plaque commemorating SFIS’s leadership in obtaining funding to support
CENAC.
The heart of the General Session was two keynote speakers focused on community-based
education issues. Although Rich Allen of Education Illustrated was the featured keynote,
he was unable to get to Santa Fe due to weather problems. Ohkay Owingeh Governor
Joe Garcia, who is also the president of the National Congress of American Indians,
replaced Dr. Allen. Governor Garcia updated CENAC staffs on federal issues effecting
tribes that will impact education. Marie Reyna followed with a passionate speech about
the importance of high quality, culturally relevant education for Pueblo children.
Workshop Session I followed immediately after the General Session. All staffs except
the bus drivers attended one of the 90-minute workshops offered. For the past three
years, CENAC principals have required all their staff to attend at least one workshop on
mathematics, science, and/
or CBE. The reason for this is that all staff who work in a school impact students’
education; therefore, they should have some knowledge of educational issues.
A lunch of Pueblo tacos, cheesecake, and a chance to visit with other CENAC staff
members made Rally goers happy and ready to attend the next session. Many staff spent
the afternoon in a three-hour strand: principals, academic counselors, SFIS student living
staff, maintenance, secretarial, SFIS special education staff, cooks, librarians, and COOL
graduates. Other staff – teachers and educational assistants – attended two more 90-
minute workshops. Please see the session list for details on the workshop and strand
sessions.
As the Evaluation Summary notes, Rally 2006 was a great success. Participants loved the
setting on the new campus of Santa Fe Indian School. They felt the quality of presenters
was outstanding. The organization of the Rally was obvious. The keynote speakers were
inspiring. Many participants indicated that NMTC’s goal of making each Rally better
than the last had been achieved.
|
©2005 Santa Fe Indian School
