April 10, 2026
The Wild Center Hosts Educator Professional Development on Haudenosaunee Perseverance
in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
Tupper Lake, N.Y. – The Wild Center will host an immersive educator professional development experience, American Revolution: Haudenosaunee Perseverance, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Developed by Native Knowledge 360°—the education initiative of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian—this full-day workshop will provide educators with an in-depth look at a standards-aligned, classroom-ready resource designed for middle school students, exploring Indigenous perspectives on the American Revolution.
The program centers on a standards-aligned digital inquiry resource that examines how the Haudenosaunee Confederacy—Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations—persevered during and after the American Revolution.
The day will begin with an opening by Dave Kanietakeron Fadden (Akwesasne Mohawk), followed by a panel discussion featuring special Haudenosaunee guest speakers, including Katsi, Tekatsi:tsia’kwa Katsi Cook (St. Regis Mohawk Tribe), who will share insights into the roles of women in Haudenosaunee society, including their influence in diplomacy and decision-making. These perspectives provide critical context for understanding Haudenosaunee experiences during this pivotal period in history.
Participants will then engage directly with the digital resource, which incorporates video interviews with Haudenosaunee community members, primary and secondary sources, original maps, and images. Educators will explore how to bring this content into their classrooms, guiding students through the essential question: In what ways did the Haudenosaunee persevere through and after the American Revolution?
“Opportunities like this allow educators to expand the stories they bring into their classrooms and ensure students encounter a more complete and accurate history,” said Kerri Ziemann, Program Director at The Wild Center. “By centering Haudenosaunee voices and experiences, this program helps educators engage students in meaningful, inquiry-based learning that connects past and present.”
In addition to workshop sessions, attendees will participate in guided tours of The Wild Center’s Haudenosaunee exhibits and have opportunities to collaborate with fellow educators. Certificates of participation and CTLE credit will be available.
The cost to attend is $35 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available upon request- email jkretser@wildcenter.org. Space is limited to 60 educators, and advance registration is required. Register online at www.wildcenter.org/events/haudenosaunee-perseverance.
American Revolution: Haudenosaunee Perseverance Onsite PD at The Wild Center is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
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