Introducing Cheryl Shane | Student & Community Engagement Specialist

During Native American Heritage Month, we take pride in introducing Cheryl Shane, our dedicated Student & Community Engagement Specialist. With 22 years of teaching experience, Cheryl has transitioned into a unique role as a liaison for indigenous families in North Clackamas. Her primary focus is to offer support, guiding students and families through the resources available via the Federal Title VI Indian Education Grant. This grant aims to enhance the educational and cultural experiences of students with documented Native ancestry, ultimately improving their academic success.

Originally from Oklahoma and member of the Cherokee/Zia/Pueblo tribes, Cheryl joined NCSD after relocating to Portland, where her son is currently enrolled at Milwaukie High School. Beyond her role as a liaison, Cheryl actively engages with her community. She has assumed a leadership position within Milwaukie High's Indigenous Students Association, fostering a space for native students and allies to socialize and find a sense of belonging. Her background as a teacher and reading specialist has also allowed her to become somewhat of a consultant for teachers across all of the district's grade levels helping them select culturally appropriate books and materials for their classrooms.

Cheryl's community involvement extends to her role partnering with North Clackamas ESD and The Native Wellness Institute in bringing The Coastal Jam Pow Wow to North Clackamas Schools last year. This event provided a gathering place for the native community, offering opportunities for interaction through song, dance, and the appreciation of indigenous food and crafts. 

 

Watch the short documentary Culture and Connection: An Intersection of Indigenous Excellence about The Coastal Jam and hear from NCSD students who were involved in the event.

Culture and Connection: An Intersection of Indigenous Excellence

 

More About The ISA

In the Community Room at Milwaukie High School, a gathering of students under the banner of the Indigenous Student Association (ISA) takes place during lunch. The staff sponsors, Cheryl Shane and LeeAnn Starrett, meticulously arranged a spread of Hawaiian cuisine from a local restaurant, complemented by beverages and snacks. The ambiance is filled with smiles and laughter as students assemble, engaging in conversations about fashion, music, and sports.

This monthly lunchtime meeting is a forum for ISA members, primarily composed of native and indigenous students and their allies, to reconnect, share tribal affiliations, and enjoy a communal meal while exchanging stories. Among the 111 participants registered through the Federal Title 6 program in North Clackamas Schools, these students have established the ISA to foster a stronger sense of community and belonging within the school. Notably, the group is inclusive, welcoming friends and interested participants beyond the indigenous community.

Before the beginning of the meeting, Bellolei Bibles, a 10th grade student from the Lummi Nation and an original ISA member is found seated cross-legged on a table, engrossed in her laptop. She expresses her appreciation for the group: "I really love having a group like this because it gives us a chance to talk to each other about things that our non-native friends might not get. We have really built our group up in the last year from only two members to close to around 15."

The ISA meeting isn't just about serious tribal talks; it's more about creating a safe space for indigenous students to gather together. One of the sponsors, Cheryl Shane, explains, "The main objective of this group is to allow a space for indigenous students to feel safe and to be able to interact with each other. It's essential to also provide an opportunity for non-indigenous people around us to see that we are ordinary folks with sometimes unique cultural backgrounds. "

As lunch concludes, students express unique perspectives on the importance of the group. Cheryl's son, Harrison Shane, a 9th grade student at MHS, values the group's inclusivity, sharing, "I like bringing my friends who are not native so we can all talk, and they get to learn as we eat."

The room emanates a sense of familial support, and students unanimously express positive and appreciative sentiments about the ISA. 

There are three such groups in the district: MHS/MAA, Rowe Middle School, and Alder Creek Middle School. Shane hopes to continue to foster more programs in other schools at the high and middle levels and looks forward to being more visible in the community as the programs grow. 

Learn more about the the Title VI program or if you'd like more information about applying visit our Native American/Alaska Native Community webpage here.

BACK TO STORIES