In fall of 2019, she made the decision to continue her commitment and passion of equity and working within her community with a move from higher ed to Prek-12 public education as the Director of American Indian Education with Minneapolis Public Schools.

While attending college, Jennifer worked as a student worker and graduate assistant in UMM Minority Student Program and MSU’s Institutional Diversity programs that led to her ongoing work in higher education equity, most recently at Augsburg University that moved her and her family to the metro area in 2007. She moved to Minnesota for college and attended University of Minnesota Morris and later Minnesota State University where she earned a masters degree. She was raised on her home reservation with her large extended family and tight community. Jennifer Simon (Mnicoujou Lakota) is an enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. I find joy through the work that I do with YEA! Climate, the Ethnic Studies Coalition and the group I started in my school district called 197 Students for Change! Jennifer Simon, Director of American Indian Education, Minneapolis Public Schools Jennifer Simon Hello, my name is Nayana Gurung (they/she) and I am a climate and social justice advocate living on stolen Wahpekute land. Nayana Gurung, Youth Organizer, YEA! Climate/Ethnic Studies Coalition Nayana Gurung Jose Alvillar alongside youth from Unidos MN are part of the Ethnic Studies Coalition, which seeks to implement ethnic studies in K-12 schools in Minnesota through the Ethnic Studies bill and the state standards revision process. He identifies as a Mexica with Pochtecatl and Otomi roots from Anahuatl lands. Jose (he/him), Works for Unidos MN a grassroots non-profit organization that works with the Latinx community on intersecting issues of education, climate, and immigration justice. Panelists: Jose Alvillar, Director of Youth Programs, Unidos, and Ethnic Studies Coalition co-founder Jose Alvillar

Panelists will discuss the creation of the Indigenous Course Graduation Requirement at Bemidji State University, the process of introducing an Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement for all K-12 public schools in the State of Minnesota, and the creation of land acknowledgements in Minneapolis Public Schools. Creating Land Acknowledgements and Ethnic Studies Course Requirements Follow this link to view the recording of this panel presentation.

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