Generations of Native American children across the country were taken from their homes and brought to federally funded boarding schools that banned their native languages, clothing and traditions.

Now Michigan is ensuring public school students learn the history of abuse at those boarding schools that once tried to erase Indigenous culture. They’ll also learn about the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan, tribal governance, economies of early civilizations, the Trail of Tears, causes of the Mexican-American War, and more.

Lawmakers infused the 2022-23 school aid budget with $750,000 to update state social studies standards and add modules about Indigenous tribal history for students in grades 8 through 12.

Michigan is among a number of states including Idaho, North Dakota, and Wisconsin that are beginning to bolster their curriculums to include more lessons about Indigenous history that tribes say have been lacking.

https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/michigan-deepen-native-american-history-social-studies-standards