In an era where education is at the center of fierce cultural debates, Dr. Anton Treuer’s keynote confronts the challenge of delivering genuine equity and inclusion. Treuer moves past surface-level gestures—such as land acknowledgements and procedural acts of diversity—toward practical strategies that foster real belonging for all students. Drawing on successful examples from Ojibwe language immersion schools in Wisconsin, Indigenous language revitalization in Hawaii, and community-driven efforts in Minnesota, Treuer reveals how supporting positive identity development and embracing authentic cultural education can benefit every learner. Grounded in data and lived experience, this session is a call to educators: move beyond the performative and cultivate systems where all students—regardless of background—can truly thrive.

This is the keynote address for the Minnesota Education Association conference, registration required.