Mission Statement

American Indian Curriculum Services (AICS), within the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Education, exists to support the efforts of students, staff, and faculty as they work to increase their knowledge, understanding, and application of American Indian studies both inside and outside the classroom. AICS bolsters ownership of professional development and integration of knowledge through collaborative curriculum building, cross-campus partnerships, and partnerships with indigenous nations. AICS honors and respects tribal nations, elders, and citizens as primary sources of knowledge. Through this mission, AICS seeks to further the Wisconsin idea.

Overview

American Indian Curriculum Services supports faculty, staff, and students by working in collaboration to increase individual knowledge and improve curriculum integration. AICS is not a lecture service, rather a living, interactive, and expanding resource office specifically tailored to meet the needs of the UW-Madison School of Education by providing highly individualized support. Departments best know their programs', curriculum, theoretical framework, and where to integrate American Indian studies, making collaborative work essential. AICS will work closely with programs and individuals to facilitate integrating American Indian studies, including helping to find resources for professional development, for use in specific courses, and for students to use in their own classrooms. AICS will help individuals develop criteria for evaluating future resources and learn cultural protocols for future work with American Indian communities. Each project generates resources, plans, and lessons which logically lead to the second part of AICS, development and liaison activities.

American Indian Curriculum Services facilitates a pipeline of information between tribal nations, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, other University of Wisconsin resources, and the School of Education community. AICS serves as a liaison to Wisconsin’s federally recognized American Indian nations to demonstrate respect, acknowledge tribal sovereignty, and to collect accurate and authentic information about each community. AICS also works with DPI to ensure American Indian curriculum addresses Act 31 and PI 34 standards. Finally, AICS constantly seeks to expand its catalogue of resources, improve access, and ultimately increase the quality of support services offered through cross campus partnerships. For these reasons, and in the traditional spirit of reciprocity, AICS welcomes cross-campus partnerships to help individuals gain experience working with American Indian peoples while producing specific and useful resources or programs that assist the mission of AICS. Additional partnership suggestions will always be considered. AICS operates on a circular model for growth and development by continually collecting and improving resources generated by each successive collaborative project. For further questions, or to start a working relationship with AICS, feel free to contact the office.