Janice Wilson
Educator of the Year

Janice has taught Crow culture at Wyola School for 15 years. The individuals who nominated her described the many projects she is involved in.
  • She teaches community night classes for individuals who wish to learn how to make elk teeth dresses, leggings and horse gear.
  • At Wyola School, she teaches Crow language, traditional music, and classic Crow art forms for each grade level. 
  • She teaches students how to make Crow dolls with appropriate traditional clothing.
  • At Christmas, she teaches students Christmas songs in the Crow Language which they perform for the community. 
  • She plans and organizes extensive learning experiences during Native American Week and throughout the month of October, writing grants in order to rise necessary funding for such activities.
  • She teaches students Crow lullabies, which they sing at other schools and community events.
  • She brings community members to the school to teach students skills such as beading, painting, spear throwing, pan bread making, pemmican recipes, Native games, teepee raising and the significance of the placement of the teepee poles.   
While many look to Janice Wilson as an expert in Crow Studies, she continues her own learning of Crow culture. She does so, because she understands the importance of passing the knowledge on to the younger generations. What is most notable about Janice Wilson are the things students have to say about her.
  • “Mrs. Wilson is the best culture teacher. The culture teachers at my old school, all we did was color pictures.”
  • “I could not speak Crow before I can to school and had Mrs. Wilson for a culture teacher. We learn new vocabulary every day.”
  • “Mrs. Wilson teaches us everything we need to know about Crow culture.”
  • “Mrs. Wilson tells us stories and we write the stories and draw pictures to go with the story. My favorite is, Pretty Shield, Medicine Woman of the Crows. We speak Crow in her class.” 

MIEA is proud to recognize her with the Educator of the Year Award.