This week, 30 St. Louis Park Public Schools educators participated in Learning from Place: Bdote – an immersive, place-based learning experience centered on Dakota history, land, and culture. Led by Dakota community members, the experience invited participants to visit sites of profound significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities and to engage with stories and histories that are often absent from traditional narratives.

This opportunity reflects our district’s commitment to honoring the land we live and learn on. As part of our land acknowledgment, we recognize that we learn and work on the traditional homeland of the Dakota people. This field experience allowed staff to deepen their understanding of that acknowledgment and to explore ways to more authentically reflect Dakota perspectives in our classrooms and curriculum.

Hosted by the Minnesota Humanities Center, the Learning from Place: Bdote experience is especially impactful for educators working to include more inclusive, truthful history in their teaching. It aligns with our district’s efforts to cultivate culturally affirming learning environments and support all students in feeling seen, valued, and connected.

This experience is just one of many ways we continue to grow as a learning community. As a school district, we remain committed to professional learning that equips educators to meet the needs of our diverse learners and to live out our values of equity, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

We are grateful to our partners at the Minnesota Humanities Center and Dakota community leaders who shared their knowledge and stories with us. Their generosity helps us continue the work of truth-telling, relationship-building, and honoring the people and history of this land.

This experience was coordinated by SLP Educator, Jill Merkle, through an American Indian Education grant.