We are honored to collaborate with leaders and organizations whose vision for culturally holistic, community-led early childhood development uplifts families and preserves heritage. We invite you to get to know them and their impact!
WELCOME LETTER
While more than a decade of funding in Indian Country has allowed us to listen, learn, and evolve, our greatest inspiration comes from our partners. They have made incredible strides in language revitalization, teacher development, and strengthening their operations. But what moves us the most are the stories of children gaining confidence and pride in their Indigenous identity—something not seen in generations, according to many partners.
Reciprocity and communality are core Indigenous values, shaping how we engage with partners, learn as an organization, and approach evaluation. In Indigenous cultures, giving and receiving feedback is a gift—a sign of respect and a commitment to relationship-building. We are grateful to Dakota language and history teacher, and Better Way partner, Vanessa Goodthunder for this insight.
As we reflect on progress and impact over the years, we recognize the profound gift our partners continue to share with us—the opportunity to listen, grow, and do better together.
EVERY PARTNER IS REVITALIZING LANGUAGE
Today, few Native languages are widely spoken by children—a critical marker of community vitality and future. But the movement to preserve Indigenous heritage, culture, and language is growing. It’s also powerful.
The Waterfall School developed 80 instructional videos and adapted teaching methods, leading to 85% of students improving proficiency each quarter—advancing Okanogan Salish/Nsyilxcən. When Hearts Gathered opened the school 15 years ago, only five first-language speakers remained. Today, thanks in large part to the school, over 100 individuals are actively learning the language.
The NACA Inspired Schools Network, an incubator of 13 Native schools, Indigenized curricula now available as open-source materials on its Resource Hub.
Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation created 180 Lakota lesson plans and family resources to support language learning at home.
Similarly, Maȟpíya Lúta developed comprehensive Lakota curricula, now adopted by Oceti Sakowin Community Academy as it expands its school.
PARTNERS ARE CULTIVATING NEXT-GENERATION EDUCATORS
Designing in-house training and partnerships with local colleges
For example, Oceti Sakowin Community Academy’s first paraprofessional is on track to become a licensed teacher after the school launched an alternative teacher certification pathway with Oglala Lakota College.
Supporting Tribal members pursuing careers in education
The Indigenous Montessori Institute, for example, certified 48 educators.
Retaining and expanding their teams
The majority of partners retained their teams; 10 expanded them.
60 South 6th Street, Suite 2950
Minneapolis, MN 55402
info@betterwayfoundation.org