About NAIPAC
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Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.78, requires that all Minnesota districts and tribal schools with 10 or more American Indian students have an American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC). The committee serves in an advisory role to their school/district and help ensure that American Indian students are receiving culturally relevant and equitable educational opportunities. They are critical to the achievement and success of American Indian students statewide.
The purpose of an American Indian Parent Advisory Committee is to form a partnership between the district and parents/guardians of American Indian students to create goals that support the education of our American Indian learners in our district. This committee is parent-driven and is a great opportunity for parents to have a strong voice in their children’s education.
Beginning August 1, 2024, Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748’s committee will be renamed the Native American Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee (NAIPAC). The Committee serves to help ensure our Native American students receive culturally relevant and equitable educational opportunities; the committee is critical to the achievement and success of students in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.
We look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions regarding NAIPAC or any of the services that NAIPAC has to offer, questions on meetings or if you would like to be more involved! Parents/guardians, we encourage all of you to speak up and share your thoughts, needs and ideas for your children. We are here to help!
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2024-2025 Meetings
Members will meet the second Thursday each month from 5-6p at the Sartell Community Center in the Markers Space:
- August 8, 2024
- September 12, 2024
- October 10, 2024
- November 14, 2024
- December 12, 2024
- January 9, 2025
- February 13, 2025
- March 13, 2025
- April 10, 2025
- May 8, 2025
- June 12, 2025
Please note: dates could change due to inclement weather/school cancelations.
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American Indian Education Coordinator
We are pleased to welcome Stephen Casanova, the District’s American Indian Education Coordinator! Stephen will support our Native American Indian students and families in the district, create a bridge to our Native American Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee (NAIPAC), and strengthen the communication between home and school for the families of our Native American Indian students. This is a grant-funded position that is derived from the American Indian Education Aid Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.
"My tribal affiliations are with Coahuiltecan Pampopa and Numunuu aka Comanche by way of the San Antonio Missions. My role is to work with American Indian students currently enrolled in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District and advocate for, strengthen, and support the connection between American Indian families and the school system. My family is made up of my wife, myself, and our little one that just recently joined us. I am thrilled to be here and look forward to working with American Indian students and families in the district in collaboration with the Native American Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee (NAIPAC)."
Stephen Casanova
American Indian Education Coordinator
Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748 -
Committee members
Charlie Hurd, NAIPAC Co-Chairwoman
320-241-8028I am an enrolled member in the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Chippewa Tribe-Pillager Band. I grew up on the reserve until I was 18 years old and then moved to pursue my career. I do travel back regularly as I have many family and friends that still reside there. I have two children, Mia and Si. When I'm not working, we enjoy our time hiking, exploring caves and traveling. Our most recent trip was to the effigy mounds in northeastern Iowa. I currently work for the local county government and am passionate about my role in social work.
I look forward to meeting you all and hearing your stories! Stories are a large part of how our culture is passed on.
Lynne Rieckens, NAIPAC Co-Chairwoman
760-801-7148I have a son who attends Riverview Intermediate School and is a descendant of the Alaskan Tlingit Tribe, known for their craftsmanship and woodcarving. We moved here in 2016 from California to be with family. I have worked in the medical field for the last 30 years in Nevada, California and now Minnesota. My interests are scuba diving, skydiving, traveling and great food and drinks.
Rosario Garcia, NAIPAC Secretary
320-339-0085Currently, I'm pursuing Pre-Law/Political Science at St. Cloud State University, along with a minor in Real Estate. I'm a proud alumna of Sartell High School, having graduated in 2023, and I have a rich background in dance spanning 12 years. Additionally, I'm a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
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Special Events
2023-2024 School Year
May 18, 2024: AIPAC Family Event
American Indian Families were invited to an End of the Year Gathering on Saturday, May 18 at 12p at Val Smith Park.
Food was provided and student backpacks were handed out. Please click the graphic below or this link for a larger version of the invitation.
2022-2023 School Year
Monday, May 22, 2023 - Blanket Ceremony for Native American graduates at Sartell High SchoolIn May of 2023, ISD 748’s American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District honored four American Indian high school graduates with a first-ever Blanket Ceremony.
An elder, Joe Whitehawk, led the ceremony during which each student received an eagle feather and a braid of sweetgrass. Each student was gifted a chief Joseph Pendleton blanket and a book, Braiding Sweetgrass, by author Robin Wall Kimmerer.
The Red Tree Drum group from Morton also honored the students with several songs. A meal was shared with students, family and school administrators in attendance.
Thank you to:
- Lacey Lokken, Director of the American Indian Center at St. Cloud State University
- Julia Bjerke, ORELC principal and AIPAC liaison
- Shayne Kusler, SHS principal
Upcoming Events
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October 10, 2024
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Meeting - Native American Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee (NAIPAC)
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November 14, 2024
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Meeting - Native American Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee (NAIPAC)
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December 12, 2024
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Meeting - Native American Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee (NAIPAC)