New Beginnings for Honoring Tribal Legacies

Pictured, back row far left to right: Dr. Michael W. Taylor, Jasok Dropik,  Dr. Rose Honey, Dr. Carmelita Lamb, Tom Smith, Dr. Stephanie Wood, Neal Bedlan,  Dick Basch, Joe Scott. Front row left to right: Diana Cournoyer, Shana Brown, Mark Weekley, Robin Butterfield

NIEA photo

About this article: This article was originally published in the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail 2021 Annual Report.

This has been a banner year for Honoring Tribal Legacies. The program was developed in the years following the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, and has culminated with a two-volume handbook, primary source materials, and 21 units of curriculum for K-12 classrooms. In collaboration with the University of Oregon, these units span all academic areas of study, and exemplify the inclusion of indigenous perspectives in curriculum.

Now, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is passing the baton to an organization that can expand the program to include indigenous tribes and perspectives from all 50 states and territories. The new home of Honoring Tribal Legacies is the National Indian Education Association (NIEA). As the custodians of the program, the NIEA can champion Honoring Tribal Legacies, and continue to develop meaningful inclusive curricular content. This arrangement was celebrated in October at the NIEA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show, held in Omaha, Nebraska. There, the NIEA board of directors, staff, and convention attendees were able to hear from many Honoring Tribal Legacies designers and advocates. We are grateful to the NIEA for their passion and determination to bring Honoring Tribal Legacies into a new era.

—Tom Smith | Education Specialist

Honoring Tribal Legacies Timeline

2003-2006

Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. Tribal perspectives recorded inside the Tent of Many Voices.

2010

Tribal Legacy project makes available a limited selection of tribal presentations from the Tent of Many Voices at lc-triballegacy.org.

2014

Honoring Tribal Legacies Phase I completed and unveiled to educators and the general public. 

2020

Phase II Completed. Teacher dissemination and curriculum development concludes with more than 20 units of curricula made available to the public.

2021

National Indian Education Association (NIEA) becomes the new custodian of the Honoring Tribal Legacies program.

Dick Basch, former Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Tribal Liaison, Clatsop/Nehalem.

NIEA Photo

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail gifted blankets thanks to the generous support of Lewis and Clark Trust Inc.

Photo NIEA

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Superintendent Mark Weekley

Photo NIEA