LAS VEGAS — Nearly 200 educators, school board members, and parents filled a meeting room here for the second day of the annual Native American Grant School Board Association Winter conference.
Four Hopi schools, Apache, and several Navajo schools are participating in this year’s event. The Hopi schools are: Hopi Day School, Hopi High School, Keams Canyon School, and Second Mesa Day School, plus another school.
On the first day, a student dance group directed by Brent Chase captivated the audience. Chase shared Navajo stories of emergence.
Then a presentation by Rachel Robbin’s-Whited, a lecturer from Eastern Michigan University who led a game based on the Pedagogy theory of famed educator Pierre.
On Friday a student dance group from Dishchiibikoh Community School performed Apache Crown Dancing.
Friday’s event has Elizabeth Johnson from Eastern Michigan University who held group events for work session entitled “Let ‘EM Lead: Demonstration of HIGHLY- Engaging and Interactive Group Problem to Cultivate Student Ownership and Autonomy.
Headlining the conference on Friday was actor Zahn McClarnon. McClarnon is Lt. Joe Leaphorn in the AMC TV crime drama Dark Winds. He also plays Biggie on Reservation Dogs. McClarnon delivered a powerful story about overcoming alcohol and drug abuse, early in his career. His speech was followed by a question and answer session from a panel and the audience. Several youth asked him questions.
This year’s NAGSA conference started on Thursday Dec. 14 and runs through Sat. Dec. 16, 2023. The event continues on Saturday. (see link for membership information)