Seventh Annual Urban Native Education Conference:

OVERVIEW

The Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative (CAICC) is pleased to announce the 7th Annual Urban Native Education Conference on April 14-15, 2023. We are excited to host this year’s conference back at the Illinois Holocaust Musem and Education Center (9603 Woods Drive in Skokie, Illinois). This event is free and open to the public.
Our conference theme this year is Making Way for the Next Seven Generations. The seven generations is a concept and value held by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy among many other native nations around the world that asks us to take into consideration the impact that our decisions, actions, words, have on the next seven generations that have yet to arrive. This concept pushes us to be deliberate and intentional in our decision-making and focused on long-term, future-oriented, sustainable solutions versus decisions that will only benefit the short-term. The concept of seven generations also takes into consideration the seven generations that were here before us, and to honor the dreams and wishes that our ancestors seven generations before made for us. This means that every generation is the seventh generation and so now is the time to live what your ancestors hoped for you.

2023 marks a special occasion for our conference. It will be the seventh annual conference being hosted by the CAICC Education Committee. We’re proud of all the work that has gone into hosting these conferences, keeping them free to participants, engaging content, opportunities to connect and network, availability of child care and, of course, many giveaways. We are excited for the next 7 years to come. At this time, we would like to recognize that the status of the Indian Child Welfare Act is also under threat of being overturned. The ICWA Act, which was enacted in 1978, was enacted to provide protection for Native American children who were being disproportionately placed into non-Native homes for adoption. Paramount matters, like these, that affect our future generations are the reason why our conference theme this year is so important.

This conference will facilitate the exchange of strategies, tools, and research for Native American education in urban communities. Interactive workshops will be offered on various educational issues, broadly construed, tackling the theme of Making Way for the Next Seven Generations.
We invite Native American and Indigenous community leaders, knowledge keepers and scholars, students, educators, youth, administrators, helpers and staff of educational programs, organizations and institutions, from Chicago-land (Checagou) and beyond, to present at this year’s 7th Annual Urban Native Education Conference.
The mission of the CAICC Education Committee is to provide, advocate and support an inter-tribal urban system of education, through networks of Native American Programs and other providers to increase academic and career success for multi-generations that recognizes formal education and tribal cultures/traditions.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative (CAICC) is pleased to announce the 7th Annual Urban Native Education Conference on April 14-15, 2023. We are excited to be hosted again by the Illinois Holocaust Musem and Education Center (9603 Woods Drive in Skokie, Illinois).

Our conference theme this year is Making Way for the Next Seven Generations. Theme description here.
We invite Native American and Indigenous community leaders, knowledge keepers and scholars, students, educators, youth, administrators, helpers and staff of educational programs, organizations and institutions, from Chicago-land (Checagou) and beyond, to join us at the 7th Annual Urban Native Education Conference.

The 2023 Conference Committee invites proposals that include, but are not limited to:

• designing learning environments that support Indigenous pedagogies and ways of knowing
• leadership, community engagement, and being a good relative
• policies or practices that support the welfare and wellbeing of Native American youth

Proposals are due EOD on February 15, 2023.

Why Present?

• Amazing professional development opportunity.
• Collaborate with experts in the field.
• Receive recognition for and feedback about your practice or program.
• Expand your professional portfolio.
• Be part of a dynamic community that is composed of Indigenous community members working to support Indigenous initiatives

Presentation types

Oral Presentation: The Oral Presentation format is 1 hour, including time for Q&A. Presentations are typically 40 minutes long with 10-15 minutes for Q&A. Oral presenters will have access to audio/visual connections. Each room will have a moderator who will assist with time keeping, technology, moderate Q&A and distribute evaluation surveys at the end of the presentation.

Panel Session: The Panel Session format is 1 hour, including time for Q&A. This format affords 2-4 panelists to weave together ideas, experiences, and perspectives on a shared theme or topic. Each room will have a moderator who will assist with time keeping, technology, moderate Q&A and distribute evaluation surveys at the end of the presentation.

Poster Presentation: Poster sessions provide a less formal opportunity to share information with attendees. Presenters have access to an easel for display. Presenters must be present for the duration of their scheduled poster presentation session. However, posters will be displayed for the duration of the conference.

Selection Process

Proposals are selected to ensure the conference offers a comprehensive, non-promotional, objective, and diverse program. Attention will be given to diversity of topics, institutions/organizations, presenters, and geographic location.

Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:

• Relevance of topic: Is the topic of relevance, importance, value, and/or interest to the community and this year’s conference theme?
• Proposed topic coverage: Does the proposal adequately cover content related to the proposers’ learning objectives?
• Presenter knowledge: Do the presenters have sufficient knowledge, expertise, and authority to address this topic based on evidence provided in the proposal and/or prior experience with or knowledge of the presenter?
• Engagement strategies: Does the proposal explain the methods used to actively engage participants?

Important Dates
Proposal Deadline: Feb 15, 2023
Conference Registration Opens: March 1, 2023
Presenters Notified: March 8, 2023
Conference Dates: April 14-15, 2023

BECOME A SPONSOR

Gain valuable exposure for your brand and help us ensure the success of our 7th Annual Urban Native Education Conference by becoming a sponsor!

Want to build valuable connections with Indigenous and Indigenous-serving educators, youth, elders, community members, and organizations and reinforce your commitment to advancing urban Native communities? Become a sponsor for the seventh annual conference! We appreciate your support and participation more than ever to ensure a highly valuable and successful conference experience for all.

Have any questions or are seeking other options? Please contact Josee Starr at [email protected].
Current Conference Sponsors:

We rely on our volunteers, sponsors and fundraising to make all that we do possible. A huge thank you to the following sponsors for making this year’s conference possible. With your support and participation, we are able to create a hybrid learning opportunity to increase awareness of urban Native American educational issues, share ideas and knowledge, create community and support the mission of the CAICC Education Committee. We appreciate your ongoing, generous support!