Native American Literature
American Indian History and Culture, for both students and teachers.
The information in this Native American Literature self-paced course is created and presented by Dr. Caitlin Johnson, an Indigenous educator and Assistant Professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Rich descriptions of specific titles for every age group are shared, along with suggestions for classroom use (ELA as well as non-ELA). Additionally, guidelines are explored for how to evaluate and discern other titles for classroom use.
The intention of this course is to learn about a variety of Native American Literature books, how they might best be used in the classroom in a variety of ways, and deepen understanding together with our students.
This course has been created in partnership between the Northern Lights Library Network and the Northwest Service Cooperative. It is designed to meet the upcoming MN teacher licensure renewal area of American Indian History and Culture: The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers renewing their license under sections 122A.181 to 122A.184 to include in the renewal requirements professional development in the cultural heritage and contemporary contributions of American Indians, with particular emphasis on Minnesota Tribal Nations. (MN Law, chapter 55, article 5, section 42. subd. 7)
Cost: Free
One-year access
CEU Certificate: 1.5 clock hours
Your Instructor
Dr. Caitlin Johnson (Dr. J.) is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). Caitlin has a B.S. in English, M.P.M. in Business Project Management, and M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment. In Spring 2021, she graduated with a Ph.D. in Adult & Community Education from North Dakota State University. She is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and grew up on her home reservation. She started her career in education at the Turtle Mountain Community College where she taught various English courses, before transitioning to secondary education. She taught high school English for two years at the Turtle Mountain Community High School and served as English Department Chair. She transitioned to alternative education after moving to the Fargo-Moorhead area where she taught for three years. Caitlin’s research interests are multicultural education, indigenous education methods, culture as medicine, alternative education, and decolonizing methodologies.