The final Achievement Summit for the 2023-2024 school year was held for First Nations students on April 12, 2024, in collaboration with UW-Green Bay.
The event was held for middle school students to increase their sense of belonging and to provide additional support around post secondary planning and preparedness.
Three indigenous speakers shared about their life and career paths as a part of the summit.
Lieutenant John Katchenago spoke with students about his career with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He shared how the mission of NOAA relates to the Indigenous values regarding nature and the environment.
Author, singer/songwriter, poet and motivational speaker Tanaya Winder shared her personal story of grief and perseverance with students. She comes from an intertribal lineage of Southern Ute, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Diné and Duckwater Shoshone Nations where she is an enrolled citizen. Her talk emphasized the importance of "heartwork" - the life path one is meant to follow by using their gifts and passions.
Paul Wenell Jr. is an Ojibwe and Oneida Hip-Hop Artist from Minneapolis, MN, whose song, "Prayers in a Song" has been featured by PBS in their The Ways series. He shared his perspective and personal experience with the students through three hip-hop performances.
Students also joined community members for roundtable discussions regarding high school, college, career and overall life advice.
It is part of the GBAPS vision for every student to graduate high school academically, socially and emotionally-prepared, which will lead to college, career, and life readiness.
Thank you to the exceptional community leaders who generously offered their time to be part of the Achievement Summit.