Find information on American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31), including a PowerPoint presentation, survey reports, and a brief on Indigenous education. The resources below also provide connections to local, regional, state, and national organizations that support Tribal education and serve students, families, communities, and Nations. Additionally, this page offers details on early childhood and tribal Head Start programs, K–12 schools, colleges and universities, and American Indian Studies departments, programs, and services across Wisconsin.
Overview of American Indian Studies
(Wisconsin Act 31)
This PowerPoint presents a historical overview and summary of the state statutory requirements for American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31) as implemented in public school districts and pre-service education programs. These state statutes requires that public school districts and pre-service education programs to provide instruction on the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty on the eleven federally recognized Tribal Nations of Wisconsin.
Additionally, this overview describes the activities and services offered by the DPI American Indian Studies Program and provides information on available publications. Access the PowerPoint through this link: American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31) PowerPoint.
Brief on American Indian Education in Wisconsin
Beginning with a historical overview, this brief provides information about Tribal Nations of Wisconsin, offering context for understanding the educational status and achievement of American Indian students in the state.
It concludes with descriptions of educational initiatives and supports designed to enhance academic success for these students. Access the brief, origibnally completed in June 2015, through this link: American Indian Education in Wisconsin.
Survey Reports on American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31)
American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31) refers to the state law requiring all public school districts and pre-service education programs to provide instruction on the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the eleven federally recognized American Indian Nations of Wisconsin.
The purpose of the American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31) Administrator and Teacher surveys was to gather information to guide state and tribal agencies in providing resources, training, and technical assistance to school districts for teaching and learning about each of American Indian Nations of Wisconsin. Access the survey through the following link: Wisconsin Act 31 Survey Report (2014).
Additionally, information is provided on the Wisconsin Act 31 Survey Report (2000).
Wisconsin American Indian Associations, Organizations, or Programs
The following links connect to community and tribal associations, organizations, and programs in Wisconsin that offer information and support for American Indian individuals, families, and communities in areas such as economic development, tourism, education, health, and natural resources.
- American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin
- Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC)
- Great Lakes Inter Tribal Council (GLITC)
- Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW)
- Wisconsin Indian Education Association (WIEA)
- Wisconsin State Tribal Relations Initiative
National American Indian Associations, Organizations, or Programs
The following links lead to national American Indian associations, organizations, and programs across the United States. These entities focus on various aspects of American Indian education and may also provide educational resources, programs, and services to support students, educators, and communities on a national level.
- Administration for Native Americans: An Office of the Administration for Children and Families
- American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
- American Indian Library Association (AILA)
- American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES)
- Alaska Native Knowledge Network (ANKA)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
- Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)
- Indigenous Language Institute (ILI)
- National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)
- National Congress of American Indian (NCAI)
- National Indian Education Association (NIEA)
- National Indian Head Start Directors Association (NIHSD)
- National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)
- Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
- Office of Indian Education (OIE), U.S. Department of Education
- Project Venture (formerly known as National Indian Youth Leadership Project or NIYLP)
- Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA)
- United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) Inc.
Tribal Early Childhood Programs/Head Start of Wisconsin
The following links offer direct access to the websites of tribal early childhood and Head Start programs, which are coordinated by and located on or near the American Indian Nations of Wisconsin. These programs provide early childhood education and promote family engagement, while supporting Indigenous education, while preserving cultures and languages, and strengthening the traditions and communities of students, families, and Tribal Nations of Wisconsin.
- A-Binoojii Daycare Child Development Center
- Bad River Head Start
- Forest County Potawatomi (Gte-Ga-Nes) Head Start
- Ho-Chunk Head Start
- Lac Courte Oreilles Head Start
- Menominee Early Childhood Services
- Oneida Nation Head Start
- Red Cliff Early Childhood Center
- St. Croix Tribal Head Start
- Stockbridge-Munsee Conmmunity Head Start
- Zaasijiwan Head Start - Lac du Flambeau
Tribal Schools of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to three tribally controlled or Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded schools and one private tribal school. The following links provide detailed information about each school, including resources and guidance for families and communities.
- Indian Community School
- Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School
- Menominee Tribal School
- Oneida Nation School System
Tribal Colleges and Universities of Wisconsin
The College of Menominee Nation and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University are two tribal higher education institutions in Wisconsin. Their primary campuses are located on the Menominee Indian Reservation and the Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation, respectively, with additional outreach sites supporting surrounding communities.
Wisconsin Higher Education: American Indian Studies Departments, Programs, and Services
The following links connect to American Indian Studies, Native American, Indigenous Studies, and First Nations departments, programs, and services offered at higher education institutions across the state of Wisconsin.
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | American Indian Studies
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | First Nation Studies
- University of Wisconsin-Madison | American Indian Curriculum Services
- University of Wisconsin-Madison | American Indian & Indigneous Studies
- University of Wisconsin-Madison | Indigenous Student Services
- University of Wisconsin-Madison | Tribal Relations
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | American Indian Studies
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Indigenous Student Support and Wellness
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Native American and Indigenous Studies Certificate
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Native American Center
- University of Wisconsin-Superior | Indigenous Studies