Professional Learning and Development

The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) is pleased to offer virtual and in-person professional learning and development (PD) opportunities that advance comprehensive, culture-based educational opportunities for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.  

Our trainings focus on policy, practices, research, and resources that can be used to support culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and community-based approaches in all learning systems that serve Native students. NIEA is available to provide tailored professional development sessions for your school, district, or educational organization. 


NIEA’s Approach to Professional Learning Prioritizes 

  • Facilitating reflection, relationship-building, and responsible action-taking within PD spaces. 

  • Centering Indigenous knowledge systems, pedagogies, and methodologies for learning.   

  • Using resources and research created by and with Native peoples and nations.  

  • Strengthening connections between language, culture, and education to improve learning systems. 

  • Emphasizing a Whole Child approach to meeting the needs of Native students and communities.  

  • Recognizing and affirming education sovereignty for Native Nations. 

 

Who does NIEA provide professional learning for?  

  • Educators and schools who serve Native students (teachers and administrators)  

  • Educators who teach Native Curriculum (topics and content about Native peoples)  

  • Educational leaders in schools, systems, and states (Superintendents, School Boards, state agencies)  

  • Indian Education Programs (Staff and Families) 

  • Tribal Education Departments and Agencies  

  • Educational Organizations and Non-profits  

What does NIEA provide professional learning about

 
 

Professional Learning and Development Spotlights

Indigenous Empowerment and Resilience (Blanket Exercise) Training

This 4-hour, in-person 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. Participants are guided through the exercise by trained facilitators as they experience the perspectives of Native peoples during pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, and resistance. The exercise concludes with a debriefing conducted as a ‛talking circle,’ during which participants discuss the learning experience, process their feelings, ask questions, share insights, deepen their understanding, and create actionable next steps for their work.

Community-Based Education through a Native Lens Virtual Course Series

Four self-paced courses developed in partnership with the University of Phoenix. Grounded in Native education research and best-practices, learners build knowledge of Native education, education sovereignty, and best practices for teaching about and with Native communities.

Courses Include:

  • Foundations of Native Education

  • Community-based Education

  • CBE Instructional Approaches

  • Foundations in Virtual Teaching


For specific trainings available and more information about bringing NIEA professional learning offerings to your school, community, or organization

Contact Professional Learning Specialist, Helen Thomas at hthomas@niea.org