For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 1, 2024

Contact: Dani Henkel, Information Specialist, Department of Tribal Relations

Office of Indian Education to Launch Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards (OSEUS) Online Training Course on February 1, 2024

PIERRE, S.D. -  The South Dakota Office of Indian Education is proud to announce that the office is launching the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards (OSEUS) Online Training Course on February 1, 2024.

This Office of Indian Education has created the OSEUS training course to assist administrators and teachers in integrating the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings into their schools and classrooms. This online course is free and self-paced, allowing educators to fit the class around their schedules. Currently, the course is only available to educators with a K12.sd.us email address. The training course contains three sections: “Getting to Know the OSEUS,” “Culturally Responsive Practices,” and “Creating Lessons with Inquiry Design Model.”

“The goal of the OSEUS course is to spread cultural awareness and education about the Oceti Sakowin in all schools, “said Office of Indian Education Director Fred Osborn. “Our office is excited to provide educators an opportunity to learn about the OSEUS and how to incorporate them into their classrooms.”

“Getting to Know the OSEUS,” guided by the wisdom of indigenous elders from South Dakota, explores the significance of the land, environment, identity, culture, language, oral traditions, sovereignty, and way of life of the Oceti Sakowin people.

“Culturally Responsive Practices” guides teachers through understanding their indigenous students’ backgrounds and promotes socio-cultural consciousness. In this section, educators can expect to embrace the unique cultures of our Native American tribes.

“Creating Lessons with Inquiry Design Model” provides guidance to teachers on how to incorporate OSEUS teachings into lesson plan content across various grade levels. Additionally, the course provides guidance to administrators on creating a year-long plan for OSEUS vertical alignment in their school.

A promotional video of the course can be viewed by clicking here.

Educators will be offered Continuing Education Credits or Graduate Credits upon completing the three-part course.

This initiative is funded by the Wóokiye Project, a Bush Foundation grant project.

Educators interested in taking the course with a K12 email address can register by visiting https://bhssc.pdx.catalog.canvaslms.com/browse/tie/oseus.

Visit indianeducation.sd.us to learn more about the Office of Indian Education.