Increasing Opportunities for Native American Students Conference, May 3-4, 2013
This is a gathering for Parents, Educators and Students (grades 6-12)
The Region VIII Equity Assistance Center at Metropolitan State University of Denver is proud to host the Increasing Opportunities for Native American Students Conference: A Gathering for Parents, Educators and Students on May 3-4, 2013. This conference is for educators, parents and students grade 6-12 and will be held on Auraria Campus, Denver, Colorado.
This two-day event is free of charge. Friday May 3rd is for educators and parents; the focus will be on obligations all educators have to American Indian students as well as broader equity issues. Saturday May 4th is student-centered and is directed to assisting students to become advocates for their own education.
Invited Speakers
Ms. Joyce Silverthorne and Mr. Walt Pourier have been invited to speak at the Increasing Opportunities for Native American Students Conference.
Ms. Silverthorne was selected by the United States Department of Education to serve as its Director of the Office of Indian Education and is responsible for supporting local educational agencies, Indian tribes and organizations to meet the academic needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. She is a fully enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Mr. Pourier is the Creative Director of Nakota Designs, the Executive Director of the Stronghold Society and is the current "Artist in Residence" at the Denver Art Museum. He is Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
Event Organizers
This event is a collaboration of many organizations including the Office of Lt. Governor Joseph Garcia, Ernest House, Jr., Executive Secretary of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, Colorado Department of Education, and Title VII Coordinators from the following school districts:
- Adams 12 Schools
- Aurora Public Schools
- Boulder Valley Public Schools
- Colorado Springs District 11
- Denver Public Schools
- Jefferson County Public Schools
Cafe Cultura and the Regional Education Laboratory (REL) Central have also contributed their insights to the planning process.
Event Registration
There are two ways to register for this event:
1) Go to this website IOP Registration, complete the form and hit submit at the bottom
2) Download the registration form here: IOP Registration Form (
106 KB), complete the form and fax to 303-556-6073 OR scan and email to EAC@msudenver.edu
There will be no registration fee for this conference.
Event Agenda
A detailed agenda will be posted soon. Both conference days will begin at 8am for registration and conclude around 4:30pm, with a closing session.
Check this space for more event information, as we will be updating the website frequently. For more information, please call 303-556-6065 or send an email eac@msudenver.edu
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in May!
