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MIEA Board of Directors 2011-2012
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Ron Juneau, MIEA Director
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Michelle Mitchell is an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Indian Reservation. She has two daughters ages 20 and 11.
She is currently the technology specialist for the Kootenai Culture Committee Language Program in Elmo. Michelle graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management with an emphasis in IT from
the University of Montana and earned a Master's Degree in Education Technology from California State University, Hayward in 2004.
Michelle first began working in the field of Indian Education as the Family Resource Specialist for Polson Public School District. In this position she assisted Indian families by bridging the gap between
home and school. This was a perfect starting point to build relationships with both Indian families and school district personnel. During this time she also served as chair of the Indian Education Committee for
Polson, an elected position for the Indian parents in the school district. Michelle was also a key member of the Indian Education for All Committee, a key group of teachers and administrators who determine
IEFA needs for the Polson school district and how to best serve those needs. In this role, Michelle had many opportunities to make connections between the Indian community and the school district,
connections that remain after her departure from the school district. Michelle left the schools to begin working in Indian Education full-time. She has worked on several projects to promote tribal history from
a tribal perspective. The first of which is the Salish Kootenai College's Tribal History Project, which she continues to do contract work for today. She has also collaborated with several tribal entities including
the Salish Pend d'Oreille Culture Committee, the Kootenai Culture Committee, SPCC Elder's Advisory Committee and Nkwusm - Salish Language Institute to create children's books, CD's, maps, brochures,
business cards, posters, logos, flyers and business signs.
Michelle knows the key to successful implementation of Indian Education is building relationships.
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Laura McGee, Vice-Chairperson
Urban Rep - East
Laura McGee
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Corri Smith, Secretary
Great Falls, Montana 59404
corri_smith@gfps.k12.mt.us
Corri Smith is an American Indian Academic Achievement Specialist with the Great Falls Public Schools, and works with staff and students in grades PreK-12. She has
been teaching for 20 years and received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Great Falls and her Masters Degree in Educational Administration from MSU-Bozeman. She
holds Special Education and Reading endorsements. Corri is currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at the University of Montana. In addition, Corri is a MEA-MFT representative of the Montana
Advisory Council for Indian Education. She is the 2009-2010 MIEA Montana Indian Educator of the Year. Like her father, she is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Band in Belcourt, ND. Her
mother is an enrolled member of the Sioux Nation, in Fort Totten, ND.
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Carol is a State Senator from Browning on the Blackfeet Reservation. Carol has been married for 41 years, has two children and three grandchildren and is currently retired from a
long career in Education. She is a member of the Mandan and Hidatsa Tribes of North Dakota. Juneau graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Eastern Montana College and earned a
Master's Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Montana in 1980. She was active in the development of Tribal Colleges and served as the first President of Blackfeet Community College.
She was recognized as one of six of the state's first National Milken Educators in 1993, received the Distinguished Alumna Award from MSU-Billings in 2000, was recognized by the Montana Indian Education
Association as Educator of the Year and recently recognized by NEA with a National Education Award. Closing the Achievement Gap and increasing the High School graduation
rate for American Indian students continues to be two of her primary advocacy issues.
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Thomas Brown
Brockton, Montana 59213
brownt@poplar.k12.mt.us
Brownt60@nemontel.net
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Norma is an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and is the Director of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Education Department at Lame Deer, Montana. She has been the Director for 25 years.
Norma graduated from Eastern Montana College in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood. She received her Masters Degree in
Elementary Administration from New Mexico State University in 1980. Norma’s background in education includes being a classroom aide at Busby School and St. Labre Indian School, Title IV Director,
Curriculum Specialist, 4th grade classroom teaacher and a Principal. Norma was instrumental in obtaining a high school on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. She served in the Montana State Legislature
beginning in 2000 and represented House District 41 until her term ended in 2008.
Norma was Educator of Year in 2007 for the Montana Indian Education Association. She has been actively involved on many committees at the state and national level addressing education, the environment
and civil rights. Norma was the chair of the Montana Committee on Civil Rights and is currently the chair of the Montana Advisory Council for Indian Education. She is the mother of 4 children and has numerous
grand children and great grandchildren and is currently raising her grandson, Hooper.
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Arlene Augare
Heart Butte, Montana 59448
Arlene is a member of the Blackfeet Nation. She graduated from High School and has attended college. She is the first Native American to receive Class 7 Teaching Certification in the state of
Montana. Arlene has taught in Heart Butte Schools for 33 years. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Arlene is a big "Griz" fan!
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Luanne Kicking Woman is a Family Advocate/Housing Counselor with WORD’s Family BASCIS (Building a Supportive Integrated Community in Schools) program. For ten years Luanne has served in a dual
capacity, as a school district employee/WORD family Advocate serving as a home/school liaison primarily for homeless and at-risk families. It is a nice collaboration between a local non-profit and a LEA
(local school district). Luanne works tirelessly to strengthen and support families with children in Missoula County Public Schools, but particularly works with many American Indian/Title VII families. She is an
enrolled member of the Assiniboine tribe. As a mother of five sons and a foster parent for many children, she has wonderful insight into the barriers and issues that so many of us face as we negotiate our
relationships as advocates for our children, as concerned and loving parents. She also understands issues from the school/institution perspective. Luanne has facilitated numerous parent workshops, planned
round dances and school pow wows, coordinated middle and high school Indian Clubs, and helped with student and parent forums, and parent advisory groups. She is also trained in Parents As Teachers,
Mending the Scared Hoop, Native American Parenting, and Families and Schools Together.
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Joe lives in Heart Butte and is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. Joe has been married for 26 years has three boys and three grandchildren. Joe has been involved in Indian
Education all his adult life, as an employee at Browning Elementary, University of Montana, Blackfeet Community College (BCC) and Heart Butte School. He served on the BCC Board as a Student Representative
and a number of years as a Trustee and one year as the Chairman. He just finished a term on the Heart Butte School Board. Joe was the Title VII Director at Heart Butte until he was injured. He is semi-retired
as he puts it, but does some consulting work with communities and parents. He did retire from coaching after twelve years at Heart Butte but is still an active arm chair coach. He has been a MIEA Board member
since 2004. The reason he serves as a Director is that he feels MIEA has become a very reputable and effective advocate for Indian Education.
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Vance Home Gun
High School Student Rep
Vance Home Gun, High School Rep.
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