Author: Haley Henscheid, Administrative Coordinator, Tribal Youth Resource Center
Education is a powerful tool, and for Native youth, it’s essential that it’s rooted in cultural understanding and community connection. Place-based education programs provide transformative opportunities to bridge the gap between one’s culture and the wider world. I know this firsthand, as my own experiences in educational travel have profoundly shaped who I am today.
Rooted in Identity
Growing up on the Umonhon Indian Reservation in Nebraska, I was taught early on that land, culture, and storytelling were integral to my own story. What I had not yet realized was that my community’s teachings were a living part of my education – that they would help me understand the world around me and the importance of maintaining a deep connection to my ancestors’ wisdom. This is where place-based education excels—it incorporates lived environments, the outdoors, culture, and traditions into learning, allowing people to see the relevance of their own heritage in today’s world.
For Native youth, place-based education can provide a sense of pride and purpose by acknowledging the richness of their background and stories. For me, growing up immersed in Omaha teachings helped me understand that our culture is not just a part of our past, but a living, breathing source of strength. Remarkably, an example of place-based education that made me feel more closely connected to my people was a trip that led me over 2,000 miles from home.
Study Abroad Programs
In high school, I was awarded a scholarship to study Marine Biology for a summer in Baja California Sur, Mexico with The Experiment in International Living. This experience was eye-opening as it was my first time seeing an Indigenous community outside of the United States. This opportunity eventually led me to study abroad in college in Lima, Peru with the Council on International Educational Exchange, where I learned about the many Indigenous tribes of the Andes and Amazon. Through experiential education, I saw firsthand how their culture, language, and traditions mirrored and differed from my own. Importantly, I came to appreciate the diverse and powerful ways Indigenous cultures have adapted over time. It gave me a greater sense of pride in my Omaha heritage but also helped me understand the shared struggles and triumphs of Indigenous people worldwide.
Personal Growth: Confidence and Connection
These study abroad experiences weren’t just about seeing new places; they helped me build confidence, prepared me for college and my future career, and taught me how to connect with others in meaningful ways. They allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and see how my culture fits into the broader world. In total, I’ve traveled to 33 countries, each time sharing parts of Umonhon culture and seeking out Indigenous communities and learning from my relatives wherever I go. When I travel, I make it a point to teach at least one person how to introduce themselves in Umonhon so that our language continues to live outside of just my homelands in Nebraska.
The Impact of Place-Based Education through an Indigenous Lens
Place-based education means giving power to the places we inhabit and providing our youth with powerful learning opportunities to experience these places through an Indigenous lens. Through Student Diplomacy Corps, I had the privilege of leading a group of 10 youth on a transformative journey to Aotearoa (New Zealand), where they immersed themselves in Māori culture and traditions. Over the course of a month, the students connected with Māori tribal leaders and youth and explored the breathtaking landscapes of the “Land of the Long White Cloud.” I witnessed the impact this experience had on both the American and Māori youth, fostering confidence, resilience, and a sense of pride. These qualities have since played a significant role in shaping their personal and professional paths, with students pursuing their futures as law students, artists, and young professionals.
I’ve realized that, whether in the plains of Nebraska or the Andes of Peru, there are threads that connect us all, and understanding these links is essential for building stronger, more connected communities. These experiences, whether local or global, will prepare Tribal youth not only for college but for life in an increasingly interconnected world. By creating spaces for Tribal youth to explore their heritage while learning about the wider world, we empower them to be leaders of tomorrow—proud of their cultural identities and ready to share their wisdom with the world.
If you would like resources regarding place-based education or to request references, please contact me at [email protected] or TYRC at [email protected].
This project is supported by Grant #15PJDP-24-GK-02602-MUMU awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.
