VCIEC Soaring Eagle Newsletter | December 2021
A Message From the Coordinator
Dear Families,

Happy Holidays to you and your relations! I hope you will enjoy learning about what is happening in the Indian Education Program in this December 2021 issue of the Soaring Eagle Newsletter!

This school year we continue to proudly serve students and families in the Indian Education Consortium and are thrilled to be able to return to in-person lessons at most school sites. Public schools in the Indian Education Consortium are investing in our children with the lifelong gift of an education about Native American history and present day experience. “We are still here!” 

Our program is supported by federal funds that come from a Title VI grant and Partner District funding which provides site visits beyond the basic format of services. The Indian Education Program is thankful for the additional funding and cooperation from the 180 schools in Ventura County that make up our Consortium.

To learn when a member of the Indian Education staff will be at your child's school, please check the Schedule of Class Visits


This Newsletter includes resources, articles, and topics of interest for your whole family. Please save it for future reference. Highlights include:

  • Curriculum for the '21-'22 School Year
  • Simi Valley Indian Education Lesson Night December 16, 2021
  • VCIEC in the news!
  • Scholarship for Seniors-due January 4
  • Parent Committee Public Hearing January 19, 2022
  • New Consortium Logo
  • Donate to the Indian Education Scholarship Fund
  • Community Resources for Native Families
  • Call For Student Artwork

I hope that you are able to enjoy family time and stay safe this holiday season!


Robin Jacobs
Coordinator, Ventura County Indian Education Consortium

Indian Education Curriculum for 2021-2022
This year we study the Chumash Peoples with completely new lessons which center the voices and experiences of living Chumash community members.

Students build deeper understandings of their own Native identity, connections to the environment, culture and storytelling through a deep look at the Chumash experience. They also learn about the shameful history of Chumash colonization and are challenged to consider how to be part of decolonizing our schools and communities.

Built with a digital backbone that allows lessons to be shared both in-person and over Zoom, this year’s curriculum includes content that is engaging and timely for Native students.
This Year's Lesson Series
10/16/21 9:00 AM
Indigenous Peoples Day Gathering
Chumash Indian Museum

Identity and Community of the Chumash

Environment and the Chumash

Chumash Culture

Chumash (De)colonization

Chumash Storytelling

5/27/22 6:30 PM
Honoring Ceremony Gathering
VUSD District Office Multipurpose Room

Students who missed the first lesson at their school, who are on Distance Learning this year or who attend school in Simi Valley, are invited to join us on Zoom for an interactive and informative lesson based on our theme for the year: The Chumash Peoples.
Simi Valley Indian Education Lesson Night
December 16 from 6:30-7:30 pm Indian Education teacher Mrs. Weir and counselor Mr. Landseadel host a special lesson night on Zoom. Students in grades K-12 will participate in the first lesson of the year where students learn about Chumash identity and begin to answer the question "Who are you? How do you nurture your true self?"

RSVP to sign up!
Ventura County Indian Education Consortium
in the News!
Read the article about our Indigenous Peoples Day Gathering held at the Chumash Indian Museum on October 16th, from the Ventura County Star.

Be sure to check out the extended photos to see the many fun and interactive activities of the day!
Special Information for Seniors
Indian Education Scholarship Applications
(Due January 31, 2022)
Scholarships are awarded to enrolled Indian Education seniors who plan to attend College, Trade or Vocational School beginning fall 2022. 

Seniors: Apply today!
To donate to our scholarship fund, see below.
Scholarships for Native American Students
(Various Due Dates)
As you plan how to fund your education following high school graduation, make sure to apply for one of the many scholarships specifically for students with Native American heritage.
Parent Committee News
January 19, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Public Hearing
The Ventura County Indian Education Consortium’s Indian
Education Program will have a public hearing for the implementation of the forty-eighth year of funding for 2022-2023 school year. Join us January 19, 2022 at 6:30 pm on Zoom:

New Consortium Logo
The Indian Parent Committee is in the process of selecting a new logo for the Consortium. You may have seen this image on different publications.

We'd like to express our gratitude to artist Joe Galarza for his time and talent for creating it for us. Keep a look out as he finalizes it.

We hope you love it!
Enroll all of Your TK-12 Children Today
Our program provides cultural lessons and college and career readiness to enrolled Native heritage students located on 180 school campuses, from throughout 13 districts in Ventura County.
Your child may be eligible to enroll in the Title VI Indian Education Program. To enroll, please click on one of the links to complete the application.

Return completed document to your school's office or email as an attachment to robin.jacobs@venturausd.org
Donate to the Indian Education Scholarship Fund
Help Native Seniors Realize their Higher Education Dreams
We are proud of all our students, but particularly proud of those who have chosen to continue their education. Our Scholarship Committee seeks to reward those kids and their parents by helping to offset some of the costs of college. With your contribution, we can provide a scholarship to all qualified applicants at the end of this school year. 

Please donate by going to Ventura County Community Foundation . Fill in your donation amount and under "Donation Purpose" please write in "Indian Education Scholarship Fund".

Thank you for taking the time to make a difference!
Community Resources for Native Families
Southern California American Indian Resources-Ventura
Owens Valley Career Development Center- Ventura

Santa Barbara American Indian Health and Services
Call for Student Artwork
What Do Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mean to You?
The Ventura County Office of Education will be hosting the 2nd Annual Equity Conference on March 22, 2022. Students are invited to create a piece of art illustrating what diversity, equity, and inclusion means to them.

Please submit two entries (one entry representing the elementary grade span and one entry representing the secondary grade span) at: www.vcoe.org/art no later than January 30, 2022. Questions: Please contact Michele Ortiguerra at mortiguerra@vcoe.org
If you have any questions related to the information that has been shared in this email please reach out to your Ventura County Indian Education Consortium Coordinator, Robin Jacobs (robin.jacobs@venturausd.org). Thank you!