Taking place June 27 – July 3, 2026
The Upstander Academy is a seven-day professional learning program designed to give up to 25 teachers, curriculum designers, and public historians, grades 3 through 12, an immersive and experiential understanding of Native American history and contemporary realities in the Dawnland, present-day New England. In this region, the colonial narrative remains thick and for many, uncontested. With a majority of Native faculty, the academy aims to help teachers increase their understanding of pre-American Revolution history as they ground themselves in the land-based histories of the first peoples to cherish this place. We will accomplish this by learning and unlearning on tribal homelands from those whose lives have always been interwoven with their ecosystems. We will walk on Native lands and listen to and learn from the stories they hold.
The Upstander Academy will deepen participants’ content knowledge to expand curricular offerings and provide context and nuance to conversations and commemorations that are already occurring in their communities as we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Upstander Academy will create a space for participants to develop new perspectives and engaging discussion questions that support inquiry in their classrooms and public history spaces.
Two overarching themes will help structure the Upstander Academy. The first, “Land-based Learning and Indigenous Histories,” will focus on the land and waterways, filled with immersive and experiential learning opportunities and place-based visits. What has been lost due to colonization? How have Native communities been impacted by the poisoning of the rivers that have sustained them for 13,000 years? How are Native peoples restoring ecosystems, removing dams, reintroducing species and practices that were forbidden by colonial policies? What role does language recovery play in the survivance of peoples who have been subjected to attempts to exterminate them? We will center Indigenous knowledge systems through the lens of land, ecosystems, history, and language. The second, “Memorialization and Land-based Learning,” will focus on public history sites and the hard history that has been hidden for centuries. Participants will engage with curricular representations of Native American history, as well as workshops to strengthen their content knowledge. They will learn about Indigenous pedagogy and have an opportunity to practice new approaches and skills.
TUITION
Educators deserve access to transformative learning opportunities, and we are committed to making the Academy accessible to all who feel called to this work. Thanks to the generosity of funders and donors, we offer a Pay-What-You-Can tuition model.
We ask participants to first seek professional development funding from their school districts or sponsoring institutions to cover as much of the cost as possible. Participants may contribute anywhere from $0 up to $1,000 for tuition.
The full cost of running the 2026 Academy is approximately $147,000 for 25 participants. Working together, we can ensure that everyone is able to attend, regardless of the amount they contribute. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
COSTS
Meals
The majority of meals will be included. Please plan to pay for 4-5 meals on your own.
Lodging
Lodging is included for the nights of June 27th through July 2nd. Participants will share a room with another participant for the majority of the program. You may let us know if you require a medical accommodation. You are welcome to sleep at home if we’re close.
Transportation
While a personal vehicle is not required for participation, participants who have access to a vehicle are free to bring it. The Academy will involve travel to multiple sites, and having participants with vehicles will help support group transportation needs and reduce costs for all.
We will survey participants in advance about their transportation plans and vehicle availability and will help coordinate carpools so everyone can participate. Drivers who host carpools will be given a transportation stipend to help offset costs.
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
February 23, 2026: applications open;
April 27, 2026: applications due; (New extended deadline!)
May 1, 2026: applicants will be notified;
May 15, 2026: applicants must accept or decline.
