Wakanyeja

2011 – 2016

About The Program

Wakanyeja “Sacred Little Ones” was the first ECE program at the American Indian College Fund. The program worked to bring together tribal colleges, communities, educators, and families to address early learning disparities in Native communities during the years of 2011 to 2016. The initiative addressed the following five domains:

  • Improve cognitive and non-cognitive skill acquisition among American Indian children
  • Improve early childhood teacher education quality in Native communities by partnering with post-secondary teacher education programs at tribal colleges
  • Bridge early childhood education Pre-K transition to K-3 schooling
  • Integrate Native language(s) and culture(s) into curriculum development and instruction for teacher preparation programming, early childhood education centers, and K-3 settings
  • Empower families and communities to act as agents of change in education for their children

In 2011, four tribal colleges were selected through a competitive process to participate in the Wakanyeja program, and received up to $935,000 over four years to develop and strengthen early childhood education programs at tribal colleges.

 

Location

In 2011, four tribal colleges were selected through a competitive process to participate in the Wakanyeja ECE Initiative and received up to $935,000 over four years to develop and strengthen early childhood education programs at tribal colleges.

Program Gallery

Grantees

http://www.menominee.edu/

College of Menominee Nation

Ilisagvik College

Northwest Indian College

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

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The Iñupiat family engagement event was held at the Aimaaġvik Assisted Living Center to celebrate the season with the elder residents.

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