The NACI Way: Connecting Native Groups and Teachers Through Culturally Responsive Instructional Design

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Stephanie West
Heather Francis
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8312-9672
Cally Flox
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4348-9702
Brenda Beyal
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9066-270X
Emily Soderborg
Jason McDonald
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9324-4738

Abstract

In 2018, the BYU ARTS Partnership Native American Curriculum Initiative (NACI) was developed in response to teacher questions regarding the teaching of Native topics. Despite increased movements towards reconciliation, Native groups continue to be marginalized in Westernized educational settings. Additionally, teachers lack clear guidelines regarding the respectful teaching of Native topics. Describing the challenges we, the NACI team members, faced in our six-year journey partnering with Native groups in Utah, we outline key instructional design decisions we made and identify the culturally responsive principles that guided those decisions. We also advocate for the application of culturally responsive principles and practices in education including the amplification of Native voices in the classroom.

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How to Cite
West, S., Francis, H., Flox, C., Beyal, B. ., Soderborg, E., & McDonald, J. (2024). The NACI Way: Connecting Native Groups and Teachers Through Culturally Responsive Instructional Design. International Journal of Designs for Learning, 15(2), 26–40. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v15i2.36081
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Articles
Author Biographies

Stephanie West, Brigham Young University

Stephanie West is an instructional designer, educator, artist, and subject matter expert in the Native American Curriculum Initiative, which is part of the Brigham Young University ARTS Partnership.

Heather Francis, Brigham Young University

Heather Francis is an instructional designer, educator, artist, and subject matter expert in the Native American Curriculum Initiative, which is part of the Brigham Young University ARTS Partnership.

Cally Flox, Brigham Young University

Cally Flox is an instructional designer, educator, artist, and subject matter expert in the Native American Curriculum Initiative, which is part of the Brigham Young University ARTS Partnership.

Brenda Beyal, Brigham Young University

Brenda Beyal is an instructional designer, educator, artist, and subject matter expert in the Native American Curriculum Initiative, which is part of the Brigham Young University ARTS Partnership.

Emily Soderborg, Brigham Young University

Emily Soderborg is an instructional designer, educator, artist, and subject matter expert in the Native American Curriculum Initiative, which is part of the Brigham Young University ARTS Partnership.

Jason McDonald, Brigham Young University

Jason McDonald is a Professor of Instructional Psychology & Technology at Brigham Young University and instructional design consultant for the NACI teacher professional development course.