How Political Change Happens

A recent conversation with OPI Indian Education Specialist Mike Jetty reminded me of the incredibly rich and under-used collection of video clips at Montana Tribes Digital Archives.

It's a really big collection, and I haven't watched all the clips, but as I find ones particularly relevant to themes we discuss in Montana: Stories of the Land I'm slowly adding links on the Educator pages under Videos and DVDS.

So far my favorite of these videos are the clips of an interview with Earl Barlow about his efforts to write respect for Indian culture and heritage into the 1972 constitution:

•  "Learning of the Constitutional Convention," (2:41)
• "Putting Indian Voices into the 1972 Constitutional Convention," (5:28)
•  "Addressing the Convention" (5:14)
• "Putting Words into Action" (6:12).

At the time of the constitutional convention, Blackfeet tribal member Earl Barlow served as Director of Indian Education in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. (You can learn more about the remarkable Mr. Barlow here.) 

Barlow's efforts, and the efforts of many other citizen activists--including many Indian student activists--resulted in the inclusion of Article X, Section 1.2 in the new state constitution: "The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity." Montana is the ONLY state to include this type of language in its constitution, and this constitutional mandate is the basis of Indian Education for All. 

I could imagine showing and discussing these video clips in a Montana history class (when studying the 1972 constitution), but I think they would be especially great for a government class because Barlow does such a good job of outlining the process--of lobbying and testifying--and how ordinary citizens came together to shape the fundamental law of our state. 

P.S. The legislature is now in session! Are you planning on incorporating state politics into your lessons? If so, let me know how, or any resources you think are worth sharing, and I'll share them in a future post. 

P.P.S. Don't forget our upcoming online Professional Development (for which you will be able to earn one renewal unit). We'll gather via Zoom on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. to share our best ideas and resources for integrating Montana history into U.S. history. Sign up for the session here.