[waves crashing, birds chirping]
You know, a lot of times I think
if you can reflect on your own culture,
it helps give you a strong base into how you can look at,
what are some of the similarities
between other cultures,
as well as look at some of the differences.
[gentle piano music]
My name is David O'Connor.
I am the American Indian Studies Consultant
here at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
I am a very, very proud educator.
I'm also Anishinaabe.
Born and raised on the Bad River Band
of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation, which is in Odanah.
What you cooking for me in there?
- Cook: Oh, I'm making chicken noodle soup with dumplings!
- Smells so good, smells so good.
Good memories all the time like I said,
with a lot of good friends.
Doing things we loved and enjoyed.
This will always be my home.
Madison is my home now, too.
But you know, when I do get the opportunity to come up north,
I really enjoy it because I really do miss the area a lot.
So one of the first things I always think about
when I come up here is Lake Superior itself.
[waves crashing]
When I'm here listening to just the waves
crash against the shore,
it just reminds me that we just need to constantly just reflect.
Sit back and just enjoy the little things.
If you have a strong foundation and have an understanding
of who and where you come from,
it helps you understand communities or cultures
that may be different from your own.
[gentle piano music]
It is a challenge, I also think that's the...
- Woman: It's a call of duty.
- It's a duty too, it is.
It is a challenge, but it's awesome.
'Cause to me, that's the reality of the world, right?
A lot of times, we're gonna have multiple perspectives.
One of main aspects of my role here at the agency
is to talk about the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty
of Wisconsin American Indian Nations
and communities in our state.
And so, one of the aspects of that is trying to make sure
that people know how to define the word "culture"
before they actually engage in teaching it.
Good to see you! - Woman: Good to see you too!
I define culture as relationship
or relationships plus meaning.
Culture is everywhere.
It's all around us and it makes up multiple aspects of us
as individuals.
So as a human being, I have multiple cultures,
notaculture.
I love comics.
I'm a DC guy, but for me
it's always been about Superman and Batman.
When I think about teaching about cultures,
that's more the foods, festivities,
heroes, and holidays.
When I think about teaching culturally,
that's where a educator is becoming a guide
with their students,
meaning that they are learning along the way with them.
And so I'm not trying to tell teachers
don't teach about cultures,
but I don't want them to stop there.
I want them to look at it as the starting place.
Think about the three Is.
So the three Is is include, integrate, and infuse.
So when I look at the word include,
that's a stage where you may take a resource or two
and may use it to help support your instruction,
but you feel like you lack content.
When I look at the integrating stages,
you're starting to know about your content,
or information for your learning.
You take a couple resources and you plug them in
at certain parts of the year.
But it is not where it's just natural yet.
And when I look at infusion,
you as the educator are naturally taking information
and not just including it at a certain part of the year,
but including it throughout the year.
[drumming and vocable singing]
When I think of why it's important
about teaching about First Nations,
I want educators to know we're still here.
But even more importantly, we've always been here.
And with that being said, we've always shaped Wisconsin.
Historically, presently, as well as in the future we will.
We have a story to tell.
I think storytelling is one of the most important things.
And I always tell teachers,
don't look at it from the lens of telling someone else's story,
but telling your story.
Tell the story of why you're interested in this content.
Once we have an opportunity to learn about other communities
or other peoples across our state,
that's how when we truly understand
what Wisconsin is all about.