A List
12/15/03

HISTORY PROJECT TEAMS SLU, SALMON RIVER & AKWESASNE MUSEUM

CANTON – The Salmon River School District will partner with St. Lawrence 
University and the Akwesasne Museum on a project aimed at strengthening how 
American history is taught in New York State schools.
	Salmon River is one of 114 school districts in 38 states to be awarded 
Teaching American History grants from the United States Department of Education 
for the program. Six districts in New York State received grants through the 
program; Salmon River was the only district outside of New York City to be 
awarded a grant.
      With assistance from the $736,731 grant award, the district, University and 
museum will sponsor a series of three summer professional development institutes 
and two mid-winter weekend retreats for teachers of fourth- through 12th-grade 
American history. Called "American History Through Hotinonshonni Eyes" 
("Hotinonshonni" is an Onondaga word that refers to the Six-Nations Iroquois 
Confederacy), the project will allow the Hotinonshonni historical perspective 
to be shared with teachers. They will develop, test and publish lesson plans 
and materials with which to teach Native and non-Native students how the 
Hotinonshonni people have affected American history, how American history has 
affected the Hotinonshonni people, and hopes for the future.
	The Teaching American History grant program supports three-year projects 
to improve teachers' knowledge, understanding and appreciation for American 
history through intensive, ongoing professional development. Projects must be 
in partnership with organizations that have extensive knowledge of American 
history, including libraries, museums, nonprofit history or humanities 
organizations, and higher education institutions.
	"Teaching American History grants are a powerful tool for teachers," 
U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige said. "For three years, they link together 
our nation's history teachers with professional historians and other experts. We 
do this because teachers who have a deep and vast knowledge of their subject are 
better able to inspire their students, to fully engage their minds and to imbue 
them with a lifelong taste for learning."
	The planning committee for the project includes Akwesasne Cultural Center 
Director Carol White; Akwesasne Museum Program Coordinator Sue Herne; St. Lawrence 
University Assistant Professor of Education Nicole Chase; Salmon River Central 
School District Representative and Project Director Annemarie FitzRandolph; 
Salmon River teacher Katsitsionni Fox; and Salmon River teacher Tim Cook.
	More information is available from the Salmon River School District, 
at 518-358-6689.

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