We started our all important Truth Telling Series (TTS) and BIPOC fellowship to better reflect the students we serve, while celebrating diversity as our strength. TTS embarks on collecting the untold and silenced stories of the countless contributions and sacrifices BIPOC Minnesotans have made to our state’s development.

Our inaugural focus was Dakota and Anishinaabe Narratives to shine a light on the most difficult and complex corners of our past, while celebrating the traditions and cultures that go back centuries. A collection of over thirty stories was created and includes topics such as how we can be better stewards of the earth and its resources, human resistance and solidarity. You’ll also learn about the beautiful and rich Dakota language. Stories are curated into PreK-6 curriculum (scalable to adults) for use throughout Minnesota classrooms and communities. This growing anthology is collected to begin shedding light on details missing from our Eurocentric textbooks and collective knowledge .

TTS is a living series from both it’s lens viewpoint and story collection. It gives all of us at Speaking Out! our greatest purpose. Every two years as funding is available, we aim to illuminate another BIPOC history that culminates in new PreK-6 curriculum and community activities. We never want generations to again say We didn’t know, or use ignorance to further perpetuate hatred, racism or inequities. Simply put, we must do and be better. 

Our goal for the BIPOC fellowship program is to increase employment opportunities in education which are disproportionately white women in Minnesota (90%). We believe it is only through purposeful action, training and empowerment that the gap is lessened and teachers mirror their students.  We encourage all interested parties to apply today.

We are proud to feature artwork on our website by local Indigenous artist Madeline Miigwan Johnson, Indigenous emerging artist Lilly Pierce, and artist Stella Healey.