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Dream Speaker Heritage Literacy Project

The Dream Speaker Heritage Literacy Project began in March of 2001. The teachers and students at the Plains Indian Cultural Survival School wanted to develop literacy skills and learn about cultural traditions and practice of the visual arts by First Nations artists.  

Led by Project Teacher Joanne Robertson-More they developed a resource list and a course of study involving story-writing and telling as well as workshops and conversations with practicing artists and elders.  They explored how their traditions were relevant for their lives today. On May 10th, 2001, they held the Dream Speaker Celebration, sharing their work with each other, family and the larger community.  

This project supported the cultural programming mandate of the school. All students and teachers (Art, Math, Technology, Social Studies, Cultural Studies, Language Arts and Physical Education) brought heritage into their curriculum. For example, in Kent Turner's math class, students worked on activities that explored geometry as well as traditional design. Students worked together to investigate their culture and heritage while meeting curriculum objectives.

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