Attendees clockwise from left: Mark Fountain, Vice Chairman of the Calaveras County Mountain Miwuk, Joni Drake, CTTP-TANF Site Manager, Stockton, CA, Silvia Burley, Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, Rashel Reznor, Secretary-Treasurer of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, Anjelica Paulk, Vice Chairperson of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, Stephanie McMorris, Representative of the Sherman Indian High School and Karlene Clifford, Representative of the Sherman Indian High School.
The Sherman Indian High School (located at 9010 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92503) in conducting an outreach program to California Indian communities, was invited to the California Valley Miwok Tribal Office (located at 10601 Escondido PL., Stockton, CA 95212) to present to the Tribe and attending officials what the curriculum consists of that is currently being taught at the Sherman educational facility. Representatives Karlene Clifford, M.S., P.P.S., of Luiseno/Miwok descent and Stephanie McMorris, M.S., P.P.S., of Hidatsa/Ho-chunk/Potawatomi descent – are counselors at the school and discussed a variety of topics and addressed all of the questions by the Tribe and attending officials.
The meeting started with opening prayer by Joni Drake, Site Manager of CTTP-TANF (located at 5405 N. Pershing Ave., Suite C-3, Stockton, CA 95207), followed by formal introductions by all of the attendees. The school currently has around 300-400 students that live on campus and attend classes. Currently these students come from twenty-four states, some coming from as far away as Alaska. It is not just a school, but a home away from home for these indigenous students, as the school is sensitive to Native American cultures and customs, having a curriculum that includes: drum making, sweats, beading, basket weaving, ceramics, internships at the school museum, monthly potlucks for elders and various cultural events.
The school like other high schools also teaches English, mathematics, science and social studies, etc., but specific to those young, indigenous students. The curriculum also includes studies in tribal government, federal government, tribal language and Indian studies. Among new programs being offered in the fall semester are classes in alternative energy, culinary arts, fire sciences and law enforcement, among others. Field trips to help students in furthering their education are a continuous activity at the school, taking students to advanced vocational institutes, universities and specialty schools including but not limited to higher learning in fashion, auto and the culinary arts.
The school also has on-site a fully staffed Indian health services department to address any medical or behavioral need that a resident student may have. Also on site are full time counselors to help students in their academic/social environment. The school also has a sports program in which students can participate in a number of athletic programs if they are so inclined. So if you are a high school aged student of Native American ancestry or know of someone whom is, Sherman Indian High School is a school you may want to consider that fully supports their students in their endeavor to succeed in academics and in life.
The California Valley Miwok Tribe would like to thank Stephanie McMorris, M.S., P.P.S., and Karlene Clifford, M.S., P.P.S., of the Sherman Indian High School for their in-depth presentation and to Joni Drake, Site Manager of CTTP-TANF and Mark Fountain, Vice Chairman of the Calaveras County Mountain Miwuk and a Tri-Miwok Consortium member for attending.
