Empowered Voices Academy

Welcome to Empowered Voices Academy. This suite of courses is thoughtfully designed to equip educational leaders with the knowledge, skills, and cultural competencies necessary to foster inclusive, equitable, and respectful learning environments for Native students and their communities. As non-Native leaders in predominantly Native schools, it is essential to understand the unique historical, cultural, and social contexts that shape the educational landscape for Indigenous learners.This framework is built upon five foundational pillars that guide participants through their journey to effective and culturally responsive leadership:

  1. Embracing Native Educational Sovereignty: Recognizing the inherent right of Native communities to govern their educational systems, this pillar emphasizes the importance of honoring and supporting Indigenous decision-making processes. By embracing Native educational sovereignty, leaders can advocate for practices that reflect the cultural values and aspirations of Indigenous students and their communities.

  2. Decolonizing Leadership Practices: This pillar focuses on examining the historical and systemic impacts of colonization on education. Participants will explore strategies to decolonize their leadership practices, challenge inequities, and create inclusive school environments that honor Indigenous values and perspectives.

  3. Prioritizing Indigenous Knowledge in Leadership Practices: This pillar emphasizes the significance of Indigenous knowledge systems and encourages leaders to integrate these perspectives into their leadership practices. Participants will learn to recognize the holistic nature of Indigenous knowledge and its cultural, spiritual, and social dimensions that enrich the educational experience.

  4. Using Culturally Affirming Leadership Practices: This pillar highlights the importance of distinguishing between culturally relevant, responsive, and affirming practices. Leaders will be empowered to implement strategies that affirm and validate Indigenous cultural identities, creating an environment that celebrates diversity and fosters a sense of belonging for all students.

  5. Facilitating Authentic Collaborations with Native Stakeholders: The final pillar equips leaders with the skills to build meaningful partnerships with Native communities. Participants will learn about the legal requirements for tribal consultation, the importance of shared decision-making, and strategies to overcome barriers to collaboration. Emphasizing humility and respect, this pillar prepares leaders to engage authentically with Native stakeholders in pursuit of shared educational goals.

Together, these five pillars form a holistic leadership framework that acknowledges the complexities of serving in predominantly Native schools. By engaging with these materials, participants will gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives, develop culturally affirming practices, and cultivate authentic collaborations with Native communities. Through this transformative journey, non-Native leaders will be better equipped to champion the educational aspirations of Native students, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected in the educational process.We invite you to embark on this important journey of learning, reflection, and action as you enhance your leadership practices and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive educational environment for all students. Embracing Native educational sovereignty is not just a responsibility; it is a commitment to fostering an educational landscape where all students thrive.

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MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

MYHRA JONES
Professional Chef and Nutritionist

Dr. Ralph M. Watkins holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and brings over 20 years of experience in public education. For the past 10 years, he has served as a school leader in Alaska, where he has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in predominantly Native school settings. Dr. Watkins is the author of the 2024 book, "Leading with Purpose: A Leadership Framework for Non-Native School Leaders Serving in Predominately Native Schools," which outlines effective strategies for fostering inclusive and culturally responsive leadership. His passion for education and commitment to serving Indigenous communities drives his work in improving educational outcomes for all students.

Course FAQ

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.