Norup Guest Speaker Shares About Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Jeremy Macdonald is a member of the Ojibwe tribe (Chipewea) and husband to Norup 3rd grade teacher Julie Macdonald. Mr. Macdonald was invited to Norup on Indigenous Peoples Day to speak to the third graders to expose students to information and resources that they might not have known about. Norup teachers hoped his presentation would also spark student interest and understanding that Native Americans are not just a historical group, but that they are present in communities today.

During his presentation, Mr. Macdonald shared about the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana, where he is from. He also shared facts and information about Native Americans. He touched on the history of the shrinking land ownership of Native Americans, popular traditions and ceremonies of Native Americans, historical influence of Native Americans and traditional foods that came from Native populations that we may think come from other nationalities. The students were interested in the various children's books he brought and the topics they highlighted - traditional foods, the meaning and importance of long hair for Natives, and celebrations such as the Pow Wow. Students had a chance to see artifacts and ask questions as well.

Mr. Macdonald has a Bachelor's Degree in Native American Studies from The University of Montana and a Masters Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Arizona State University.  He has been an educator for 21 years, having taught 5th grade, 3rd grade, Elementary School Dean, High School Principal and Superintendent.  He is currently managing a grant for language immersion to preserve the language of his tribe in Montana and bring the language and culture into the schools.