Montville Students and Teachers Selected to Experience Mohegan History

Each year, the Mohegan Tribe selects a worthy group of Connecticut educators for a challenge grant to aid in the development of a Native American curriculum. The program was initially developed by Medicine Woman Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel to bring greater understanding of the Mohegan Tribe to its home state.  

This year’s selected schools are from a wide range of geographic areas and grade levels in the state and include Montville High School, grades 11 and 12.

The grants of $1,000 each are based on the applicant’s ability to provide the greatest use of all resources.  Funding provides educational and classroom materials, as well as a cultural exchange opportunity which includes visits to the Tantaquidgeon Museum, Fort Shantok, and the Mohegan Church.  Guided by members of the Cultural and Community Programs department along with traditional tribal leaders, the school groups have a chance to see first-hand the archives and artifacts that inform the history of the Mohegan Tribe and other Indian Nations.

A number of teachers applied to the Tribe and were invited to describe their approach to developing a curriculum to address issues of Native American history, traditions and culture, along with Tribal government and sovereignty. 

On Monday morning, tribal educators will visit with students of MHS social studies teacher Derek Wainwright and provide a Mohegan history lesson.  In the spring, the students will tour the museum, Fort Shantok, and the Mohegan Church.

Patch will sit in on the lesson Monday and share what we’ve learned!