Penobscot representative Donna Loring addresses teachers at the Wabanaki Workshop at the Abbe.
The Abbe Museum is pleased to announce the creation of the Robert R. Gann Wabanaki Education Fund. A memorial donation made by Donna Gann in her husband’s name makes it possible for the Abbe to offer FREE workshops for Maine educators each spring. The purpose of the fund is to bring Wabanaki people to the Abbe to provide content, resources, and contacts relating to the Wabanaki Initiative to Maine educators.
The topic for a workshop is selected based on requests from educators on evaluation forms and surveys. Each winter the new topic is announced, and registration opens in the spring. Teachers will receive 7-8 contact hours. Generally, the workshops will be broken down into two sessions covering two topics. After each session, an activity that teachers can recreate in the classroom, or a brainstorming session for new ideas to apply the content in the classroom, will take place. Teachers are encouraged to stay for the entire day, but have the option of attending just the morning or afternoon session. Workshops are open to teachers from all grade levels, disciplines, and regions of Maine.
For more information contact Raney Bench, Museum Educator at (207) 288-3519 ex. 16 or educator@abbemuseum.org.
2008 Workshop: History, Government, Economics & English Teachers
Date: March 17, 2008
Time: 8:30 - 3:30 (teachers will get 7 contact hours)
Location: Abbe Museum Downtown
Description: The Abbe Museum, in Bar Harbor Maine, will host a free teacher workshop dedicated to give Economics, English, History, and Government teachers the basic information needed to meet their LD 291 requirements.
The day will focus on two topics, economic status for Wabanaki people in the state of Maine, and stereotypes Wabanaki people face in Maine today, and how to address these topics in the classroom.
Penobscot State Representative to the legislature, Donna Loring, will discuss the unique economic status and challenges faced by Wabanaki people in Maine, and provide suggestions for including this information in the classroom. Ms. Loring introduced LD 291 into the legislature, and was instrumental in getting the requirement passed. New Maine Learning Results require Wabanaki issues of government and economics be taught in classrooms for students K-12. This session will give teachers the background information needed to meet this requirement, as well as ideas for the classroom.
Penobscot Rhonda Frey was actively involved in getting one of the last “Squaw” place names removed, in Stockton Springs, in the fall of 2007. Rhonda was shocked and appalled at the treatment she received during this debate, and feels it is important to share what happened in the hopes of creating a more civil community in Maine. Rhonda has been working with the Abbe to create a teachers guide and lesson plans to address the difficult and sensitive subject of racism and stereotyping of Maine’s Native people. This session will complement stereotyping curriculum already available through the Abbe’s website, and is designed to reach a variety of age groups.