478-961 American Indian Studies: Implementing Wisconsin Act 31 - Spring 2026

Schedule: March 11, 2026: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Price: $35 per registrant, free for CLASS candidates, lunch included. CLASS Candidates must reach out to events@cesa2.org to receive their code for free registration.

Content Questions: Tere Masiarchin (class@cesa2.org)

Registration Questions: (events@cesa2.org)

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About this Event: This training will provide an in-depth presentation and discussion on American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31). The focus of the training is to help educators understand and implement Wisconsin Act 31, which is a state law requiring all school districts and educator preparation programs to provide instruction on the histories, cultures, and tribal sovereignty of the American Indian Nations of Wisconsin.

This training is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and information they need to integrate the requirements of American Indian Studies into lesson plans, material selections, pedagogical practices, and district curriculum. Information about the Tribal Nations of Wisconsin histories, treaty rights, sovereignty, and cultures of Wisconsin will be presented throughout the workshop.

The goals of this training are to share best practices, information, model programs, and resources with participants so that they are knowledgeable about American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31) and are able to meet the requirements.

Please note the following information:

• To fulfill the educator licensure stipulation for “Wisconsin American Indian tribes and bands” only, attendance at this full-day in-person training workshop is required, along with two follow-up assignments that will be discussed at the conclusion of the training workshop.
• This is an in-person workshop at CESA 2. If there is inclement weather, this event will move to virtual only.

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About the Presenter:
David J. O'Connor (Anishinaabe or Ojibwe name is Bwaakoningwiid) is originally from and is a citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. In January 2012, he became the Education Consultant - American Indian Studies Program at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). In David's role at DPI, he supports school districts' efforts to provide instruction on the histories, cultures and tribal sovereignty of American Indian Nations and tribal communities of Wisconsin, often referenced as Wisconsin Act 31, and the education of Native American students.

David provides training opportunities and presents at conferences and workshops on American Indian Studies and provides general consultation on issues related to Native American education. He also serves as liaison to the Tribal Nations and communities of Wisconsin; tribal education departments, the Wisconsin Indian Education Association (WIEA), the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC), the Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations, and the Office of Indian Education - U.S. Department of Education.

David received both his Master of Science (M.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI. He is also a graduate of the School District of Ashland in Ashland, WI, where he did his K-12 education and a graduate of the Bad River Head Start in Odanah, WI on the Bad River Indian Reservation where he started his education and early learning.

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