Teaching Native American History in the Classroom and Beyond

The Old State House, Hartford, Connecticut

The Connecticut Legislature recently passed a law that requires school districts to include Native American studies as part of the social studies curriculum beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. The Association for the Study of Connecticut History (ASCH) will be sponsoring its annual Spring Conference, Teaching Native American History in the Classroom and Beyond. The conference will focus on scholarship and teaching strategies for K-12 teachers, students, and scholars.

The Day’s Program

8:30 – 9:00 → Registration and light refreshments

9:00 – 9:30 → Introductory Remarks by Stephen Armstrong, Connecticut Social Studies Department Consultant

9:30 – 11:00 → “Indigenous Studies in the Classroom” with Samantha Cholwea Tondreau of the Mohegan Tribe and Rebecca Lord Gomez, Director of Education & Recreation for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

9:30 – 11:00 → Tours of Connecticut’s Old State House with specialty conference content

11:00 – 12:00 → “Finding Indigenous Voices in Historical Sources” with Dr. Katherine A. Hermes, Executive Director of Connecticut Explored

12:00 – 1:00 → Lunch provided by Hartford Baking Company

1:00 – 2:00 → “Teaching Native American History” with Dr. Stephen Amerman, Professor of History, Southern Connecticut State University

1:00 – 2:00 → “The History of the Mohegan” with Samantha Cholwea Tondreau

2:15 – 3:00 → Closing remarks by Dr. Jeffrey O’Leary, Associate Professor of History, Mitchell College