A new partnership between Augustana University and the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) is providing Native American students in Sioux Falls the opportunity to experience life on Augustana’s campus and guidance on the path to higher education.
As of the 2021-22 academic year, the school district had more than 1,600 Native American students enrolled in 40 different federally-recognized tribes and more than 2,200 students altogether, which includes those who identify as Native American but are not enrolled in a tribe.
In Spring 2022, under the leadership of Dean of Students Mark Blackburn and Anna Brokenleg ‘07, Augustana and the SFSD piloted a program with 40 Native American students — 20 from George McGovern and Whittier Middle Schools, and 20 from Lincoln and Washington High Schools. The students visited AU’s campus four times, where they took tours and heard from Native AU students.
“We talked about different ways that Augustana could help Sioux Falls’ Native students see college as a possibility,” Brokenleg said. “A lot of them would be first-generation college students, so it’s important for them to understand what that pathway looks like, what financial aid options are there and just see all the different opportunities.”
As the SFSD teacher on special assignment (TOSA) chairperson for the Office of Indian Education, Brokenleg provides support services for Native American students in all grades. Brokenleg grew up in Sioux Falls and attended school in the SFSD from kindergarten through high school. She also spent her childhood running around Augustana’s campus with her dad, Dr. Martin Brokenleg, professor emeritus of Native American studies. She graduated from Augustana in 2007, as an elementary education major, and in 2019, earned a Master of Education with an emphasis in special populations from Augustana — making this new partnership an endeavor close to her heart.
Each campus visit centered around one of the four quadrants of the Circle of Courage Model — created in 1990 by three Augustana professors, one of whom is Brokenleg’s dad. The Circle of Courage — the framework for Augustana’s Sharon Lust School of Education and Teacher Education Program — is a model of youth development based on the principles of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. The students visited the Model Classroom in the Madsen Center, Anatomage Virtual Cadaver Table in the Froiland Science Complex, Midco Media Center and Edith Mortenson Center Theatre.
“The kids really had a great experience,” said Brokenleg. “I think being able to go on to a college campus and feel really welcome was great. The goal has really been to demystify the college experience so they can feel comfortable and know it's the right choice for them.”
After the visits, Blackburn received heartfelt notes from the students, describing how much they enjoyed their time on campus.
“I have letters saying, ‘Thank you for having us on campus. I really enjoyed everything you had to show us. I look forward to visiting again very soon. And, I'm coming to Augustana,’” Blackburn said. “It warms my heart. I saw a lot of change, not only for Augustana, but for their mindset about college.”
Brokenleg, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, has seen the challenges Native American students face and hopes to create a positive change in the world of education.
“For a lot of Native people, we have mixed experiences with education,” said Brokenleg. “Almost all Native families have been touched by the history of boarding schools in the United States, which has impacted the historical and generational trauma in our communities. So, I think it's important for students to see how that's different today, and how education can play a really powerful role in their lives.
“We, as Native people, have dealt with a lot of erasure,” Brokenleg continued. “Having opportunities like this, where they see other Native students in higher education, is really important. It's also great if they can see a Native college professor or astronaut — all these different careers and opportunities that they might not have seen themselves in before.”
For Blackburn, the program is about providing opportunities and identifying support for ending the cycle of trauma.
“If we can be a change agent at Augustana, if we can define the narrative for our Native American brothers and sisters by providing them the opportunity to have a phenomenal education, where they're supported here at the university, that’s an ideal situation,” said Blackburn.
Both Blackburn and Brokenleg have plans to continue the program, as well as ideas on how to expand it, including the addition of summer camps, credit-earning opportunities and day-long visits.
“Because of my personal history with Augustana, it's fun to watch things come full circle, and to see how connections between people, districts and educational communities can grow to support all of our students,” Brokenleg said. “And, I know that we have at least one of our students who was part of the partnership who's attending Augie this fall.”