Episode 19: Native American Series | 7 Guiding Principles when Partnering with Native Tribes | Cally Flox, Brenda Beyal, Heather Sundahl

Brenda Beyal and Heather Sundahl join Cally Flox to discuss the seven key principles that guide the work within the Native American Curriculum Initiative (NACI).

Partnering with Native Tribes

Over the past three years, Brenda Beyal and her Native American Curriculum Initiative team have worked to create a culture of respect and inclusivity, building relationships of collaboration and creating lesson plans that include the native voice. The inception of this work began when the NACI team asked representatives from native tribes, “What do you want the children of Utah to know about your tribe?” Teaching artists collaborated with tribal representatives to create lesson plans with relevant and appropriate content, as well as a tribal seal of approval.

As the NACI team worked with tribal representatives and other partners across the state, seven principles emerged as a code of conduct and philosophy for how the team and partners engage in the NACI initiative.

1. Embrace Partnership & Reciprocity

The first principle is to embrace partnership and reciprocity. Cally, Brenda, and Heather reflect on an experience with the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. Patty Timbimboo Madsen contacted the NACI team, looking for someone that could film the nations annual commemoration ceremony of the Bear River Massacre—the largest single slaughter of Native American lives in American history. Heather reflects on the sacredness of the event and the privilege of helping this tribe reclaim their story. Reciprocity—the act of offering something without expectation of receiving anything back—always leads to receiving more than you give.

2. Know Your Own Culture

Knowing your own culture is the second principle: everyone participates in a multifaceted culture with many layers. Taking time to learn and embody our own culture enables confidence and deep listening when learning about other cultures. Developing awareness around the traditions and values of your family’s culture makes it easier to be curious about other groups and how they explore and live those same aspects in different ways.

3. Ask with Genuine Intent, Listen Attentively

Asking with genuine intent and listening attentively is the third guiding principle. At the onset of the initiative, the NACI team asked native people, “What would you like the children of Utah to know about your tribe?” Listening with genuine intent and letting go of preconceived answers enabled the team to receive their authentic answer.

4. Accepting ‘No’ Gracefully

The fourth principle is accepting the ‘no’ gracefully. Often the NACI team asked questions, hoping for a certain answer, but quickly learned that they were in the wrong. Disingenuous conversations or manipulating a ‘yes’ out of someone are not really consent: it’s not a true offering and it’s not a real partnership. Accepting the ‘no’ completely and gracefully empowers both the giver and receiver, opening the door for more meaningful opportunities and conversations.

5. Allow the Time Needed for Authentic Growth

The fifth guiding principle is to allow the time needed for authentic growth. At the outset of her work, Brenda assumed meeting all the tribes in a conference room and asking questions would provide all the content they needed. Three years later, the team still works to build authentic relationships. Trust, understanding, and a willingness to share takes time— there can be no deadlines.

6. Importance of Original Sources

Principle number six is the importance of original sources. Using multiple voices and broad perspectives helps the NACI team make sure they are bringing forward accurate and authentic sources in history into the present moment. Seeking authentic voices actively helps establish relationships, balance perspectives, and enrich lesson plans.

7. Assume Goodwill, Learn from Mistakes

The last principle is to assume goodwill and learn from mistakes. NACI team members gently inform each other of new information so they can learn to do better. Mistake making is an inevitable aspect of learning for everyone involved: partners, tribal members, and other collaborators are all experiencing a process of trial and error: growing together requires respect and grace from all sides.

Weaving a Tapestry of Understanding and Collaboration

Bringing the seven guiding principles together into a coherent whole, Brenda shares a memory of her mother, a Diné, Navajo weaver, setting up her loom. The part of the loom holding the vertical threads is called the warp. The warp provides foundational support to the intricate designs created by the weft threads, just as the guiding principles of the Native American Curriculum Initiative act as the warp of the tapestry that their team is weaving. Every part of the NACI, whether it’s working with artists, tribal nations, or partners like UEN or USBE, is woven through these guiding principles that help amplify native voices. Cally hopes the guiding principles will help others move forward, weaving a tapestry of understanding and reciprocal relationships in cultural situations.