
During her sabbatical this past spring, Middle School History Teacher Elizabeth Grossi immersed herself in Native American history and art. She took classes and traveled across the U.S., where she met scholars, spiritual leaders, artists and others. She visited some of the 537 tribes recognized by the U.S. federal government. Elizabeth comments, “Indigenous people have taken control and are running sovereign nations in the face of historical attempts at erasure and annihilation.”
In her many encounters and conversations, from the Oneida in Wisconsin to the Hopi in Arizona, Elizabeth repeatedly heard Indigenous people speak about how their ancestral lands inform their culture and identity. “Seeing these places and talking to people first-hand has helped me better understand their worldviews and how their land itself is essential to their identity,” Elizabeth says. “Whether reintroducing bison or creating aquaponic farms, [Indigenous] people are embracing the land and are taking charge of their future in sustainable ways that honor their past.”
Elizabeth teaches Native American history throughout the year as an integral component of U.S. history. She looks forward to sharing her experiences with students. She explains, “I am eager to incorporate works by contemporary Indigenous artists into our curriculum, but above all I want to share the excitement of lifelong learning. It’s so important to learn about the places you visit and educate yourself.”
This project is one example of how the School supports the History Department’s steadfast commitment to reframing the way history is taught and advancing faculty scholarship. During her time away, Elizabeth built a network of institutional relationships that will continue to grow. This opportunity was made possible through the School’s endowment. In 2023-24 the endowment generated $1.7M for professional development, financial aid and other initiatives – all of which advance the School’s Quaker mission. To learn more about how you can support the School’s endowment, contact Rebecca Holmes.
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