Indigenous Empowerment & Resilience Training

What is it?

The Indigenous Empowerment & Resilience Training is the NIEA’s most requested training. The 4-hour session is a unique, participatory history lesson – developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators – that fosters truth, understanding, respect, and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

The Blanket Exercise is designed to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the denial of Indigenous peoples’ sovereignty, the historic relationship between European and Indigenous nations, and the impacts of colonization.

This training is adapted from the Kairos Blanket Exercise Healing Exercise. The National Indian Education Association partnered with KAIROS Canada in 2018 to become certified facilitators of the Kairos Blanket Healing Exercise so that we would be able to provide and implement the blanket healing exercise in our own local communities, both Native and non-Native. Eight years later, we have expanded the training to more deeply connect to the context of Native education in the United States.  

Who is it for?

The training is designed to be inclusive and relevant for a variety of diverse audiences.

This may include:

  • Teachers and administrators

  • Leaders in school, district, state, and tribal educational systems

  • Community members and advocates

  • Educational non-profits

  • Policymakers

  • Youth workers

  • Other educational stakeholders

To request the Indigenous Empowerment & Resilience Training in your own community, please contact Helen Thomas at HThomas@niea.org

Interested in becoming a certified trainer?

NIEA is pleased to now offer our own Train the Trainer Program that will allow individuals and organizations to become certified facilitators and provide the Blanket Exercise in their own communities.

This hybrid program includes training in best practices for facilitating the Blanket Exercise and the debrief talking circles and access to training materials developed by NIEA in partnership with KAIROS. Facilitating the Blanket Exercise requires knowledge of the content shared in the exercise and trauma-informed and culturally appropriate facilitation skills. NIEA is excited to support district, state, and tribal partners in expanding the reach of the Blanket Exercise. 

To request more information about our Train the Trainer program, please contact Helen Thomas at HThomas@niea.org