Act 31: Native American curriculum is mandated in Wisconsin Schools

By William Sampson

Native American groups faced discrimination, racism and harassment throughout this country’s history.    Act 31 is a law, passed in 1989, meant to integrate Native American history into curriculums of all schools in Wisconsin. The goal of Act 31 was to teach the history of Native Americans in a genuine and  authentic way. 

At Green Bay East High School, Act 31 is incorporated through different classes with one being Diversity Studies. Heidi Kieffer, a social studies teacher, believes that East has an easier time talking about diversity because it is so diverse itself.

Instead of focusing on just one side of a story, Act 31 ensures that another side is discussed. Act 31 is integrated throughout social studies classes, however that doesn’t stop other classes from also discussing Native American history.  East High School has a high diversity rate with many different races and cultures. Students learn about cultural identities by interacting with each other.  Understanding all sides of history, not through just one lens is imperative.

 There are many people who do not know about the U.S. treaties created with the Ojibwe.  In the mid-1800s treaties ceded large tracts of land from the Ojibwe to the U.S. and in exchange the Ojibwe maintained their rights to hunt and fish on the land for sustenance.  Uneducated people and others that resisted change threw rocks and used racial slurs.  They participated in cruel behavior towards the Ojibwe people.  One example of this is the Walleye War in which the Ojibwe faced a lot of opposition for practicing their sovereign rights to spearfish outside the reservation and not hindered by state regulations, according to USA Today.  Fishing rights continue to be a huge point of disagreement for people in the area.  It’s not only because they are uneducated.  They don’t want to follow the rules, or they think they can ignore and intimidate the First Nations people that want to exercise their right. Federal courts have decided to uphold Ojibwe rights in the 1980s. 

Today, there are still adults who, unfortunately, choose not to be informed, but ACT 31 will help integrate the knowledge and hopefully flourish more acceptance one way or another.

 For more information please see this short video about Spearfishing from Great Lakes Native Culture and Language

It’s important to understand and be willing to hear the stories of Native people.  ACT 31 is to ensure that students growing up now understand better the history of Native people than the kids who grew up 50 years ago. By doing this, more will understand and appreciate the beautiful culture Native people have.