Literacy Rooted in Culture and Community
A Partnership for Preservation and Pedagogy
The program is the direct result of a collaborative vision, secured through a U.S. Department of Education grant. This powerful coalition brings together the cultural expertise of Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI), the public school experience of the Southeast partner districts, and the regional education support of SERRC. By leveraging SHI's extensive knowledge, the partners are developing a curriculum that uses research-proven techniques to improve writing skills through the exploration of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultural heritage, traditional foods, and subsistence activities.
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Exciting Horizons: Raven Writes 2.0
Raven Writes is currently expanding its reach with several new initiatives.
- Cultural Expansion: The foundational SRSD-based writing curriculum, currently rooted in Tlingit, is being translated into both Haida and Tsimshian to ensure linguistic and cultural relevance across the entire region.
- Immersive Camps: New spring break and summer camps are offering students an integrated, experiential learning environment. Here, students immerse themselves in Tlingit language and culture, focus on traditional foods, and engage in harvesting activities alongside Elders and cultural specialists.
- Teacher Development: To ensure sustainability and quality instruction, SHI and SERRC are jointly offering a Summer Writing Seminar, providing teachers with vital, grade-specific professional development focused on the program's methodology.
- Community Connection: A Family Celebration at the conclusion of the camps helps foster positive, shared relationships between the school environment and the families, reinforcing a holistic approach to education.
Bringing Learning to Life: Stories from Camps
A Standout Story
One of the most powerful anecdotes from the program involves a boat trip dedicated to harvesting kelp. As the students were out on the water, they spontaneously began drumming and singing traditional songs. As if called by the music, a pod of orcas appeared, playing around the boat for a full twenty minutes—a moment of profound cultural and natural connection that deeply enriched the students' writing that followed.
Memorable Moments in the Classroom
The program has proven that all students are writers when the content is meaningful. Teachers recall stories of students who were "decidedly not writers" becoming excited about using a field notebook to record species observations or crafting detailed instructions for handling medicinal plants. These simple, relevant tasks—along with even a silly comic strip about a giant blueberry—have made writing an exciting and practical tool.
Student and Community Endorsement
The early outcomes and observations have been overwhelmingly positive. Students have been heard telling people around town that Raven Writes was the "best camp ever!"—a sentiment reinforced by the visible joy and shared pride observed during the final Family Celebration, a strong indicator of its success in building community around literacy.
