CURRICULUM GUIDE
Indigenous Arts and Sciences: Seasonal Lessons for All Learners
Culturally-engaged environmental science lessons written by IAS partners, educators, and community members. A joint publication of the Bad River, Red Cliff, Lac du Flambeau, and Ho-Chunk Nations and Earth Partnership (UW-Madison)
This guide brings together the Bad River, Red Cliff, Lac du Flambeau, and Ho-Chunk Nations with Earth Partnership (UW–Madison) to develop culturally engaged environmental education and community-based curricula. These partnerships are rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision of education that honors both Indigenous knowledge systems and Western science.
IAS partnerships reflect the unique histories, languages, cultures, and contemporary contexts of the Native Nations involved. While each community’s approach is distinct, all IAS teaching and learning is guided by the core Indigenous values of Respect, Relationship, Reciprocity, and Responsibility.
IAS emphasizes Two-Eyed Seeing—a framework that brings together Indigenous and Western ways of knowing to create deeper, more holistic understandings of land and water stewardship. By valuing Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) alongside scientific inquiry, IAS strengthens land-based learning that addresses pressing ecological challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
PURPOSE OF THIS CURRICULUM
This curriculum is designed to support educators in delivering place-based, culturally sustaining science education that is meaningful to Native youth—and informative for all learners. It was developed collaboratively by Tribal educators, Elders, K–12 teachers, and Earth Partnership staff to reflect local knowledge, practices, and priorities.
Each lesson weaves together Indigenous language and cultural teachings with Western science concepts. For example:
- Sugarbush practices explore sap collection and syrup-making alongside lessons on osmosis and evaporation.
- Wild rice (manoomin) ecosystems incorporate harvesting protocols and ecological knowledge with studies of biodiversity and environmental threats.
- Deer processing and use highlights traditional knowledge of anatomy, ecology, and ethical harvesting, paired with biological principles.
- Traditional meat preservation connects cultural foodways with modern food science.
- Squash cultivation introduces students to heirloom seed traditions and the biology of pollination.
2025 IAS Seasonal Lessons for All Learners
Please submit your email address below to receive a PDF version of the 2025 Indigenous Arts and Sciences: Seasonal Lessons for All Learners curriculum guide.
Creation of this curriculum was funded by the National Science Foundation (Award #2048940)
