The Mohegan Tribe Announces Annual Educational Grant Recipients

Challenge grant funding will support local Connecticut educators developing Native American curriculum

Uncasville, CT — The Mohegan Tribe announced the recipients of The Mohegan Tribe Challenge Grant, an initiative designed to support Connecticut educators in developing a curriculum that enhances Native American studies. A total of 20 schools applied for the grant, with 6 winners and 4 runners-up selected to receive funding. Collectively, these grants will support educational initiatives benefiting 1,291 students across the state.

First established in 2003, the Mohegan Challenge Grant program invites elementary school, middle school, and high school teachers throughout Connecticut to submit applications describing their plans for developing a curriculum to address issues of Native American history, traditions, and culture, along with Tribal government and sovereignty. A full list of this year’s winners can be found below.

The Mohegan Tribe Challenge Grant winners receive grants of $1,000 each based on the applicant’s demonstrated ability to provide the greatest use of all resources, with runners-up receiving grants of $500 each. In addition to direct funding, the Tribe’s Cultural and Community Programs department also sponsors a one-day instructional program with a visit to the school as part of the program. Finally, school groups are also given a complimentary field trip to the Mohegan Tribe’s Tantaquidgeon Museum, the nation’s oldest Native American-owned and operated museum, to see firsthand the archives and artifacts that are a vital part of the Tribe’s history.

"Empowering educators with the tools and resources to create inclusive and engaging curriculum is at the heart of this initiative,” said Beth Regan, Chairwoman of the Council of Elders. “This program not only helps integrate Native American history and culture into classrooms but also fosters meaningful connections between students and our traditions. We encourage schools across the state to apply and take advantage of this enriching experience for their students.”

Each year, the Tribe proudly introduces the Educators Project, offering a growing collection of comprehensive resources and interactive tools centered on Native American studies, all provided at no cost to teachers and homeschoolers. This work is aligned with the recently announced partnership between the Mohegan Tribe, the Connecticut State Department of Education, and the four other Native American Tribal nations in Connecticut to create a statewide Native American studies curriculum in accordance with state statute. Additionally, schools have the opportunity to engage in professional learning sessions with educators and the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. These programs are part of an ongoing commitment to developing and funding programs and activities that support educational systems across Connecticut, which includes supporting and sponsoring the Connecticut Teacher of the Year program.

Schools awarded the Challenge Grant Program

Winners:
Black Rock School, Bridgeport
Connecticut River Academy Magnet School (Middle Grades Program), East Hartford
PBL and Pathways Academy at Palmer Campus, Montville
Mohegan Elementary School, Montville
Latimer Lane School, Weatougue
Wolcott High School, Wolcott

Runners up/Recipients:
Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School, Bristol
Brooklyn Middle School, Brooklyn
Groton Middle School, Groton
James H. Moran Middle School, Wallingford