For Sarah Vande Corput, the classroom is place to find a sense of belonging.

The College of Menominee Nation’s 2026 Faculty of the Year honoree has been drawn to ways to connect learners to concepts throughout her career, creating a throughline that led to her being honored by CMN at its May commencement ceremony.

The Menominee community will play a role in the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration. “Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals” will host about 40 festivals around the country, with the July 29 production of the Menominee Pageant being the only event held in Wisconsin.

The sentiment in Omaha, Nebraska, last month, was one of reciprocity.

The Gate-City of the West hosted the 2026 American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s fourth annual Tribal College Native Languages Summit, enabling teachers and advocates from across Turtle Island to share and learn from one another.

Aphelandra believes children’s books are for adults, too.

“And not just in the sense that adults can connect with their kids while reading them a picture book,” she said. “The only kid you need to appreciate the spare writing, sophisticated art and compelling themes of a really good picture book is your own inner child.”

If you’re interested in hearing about how language can heal a nation, two Oneida doctors have just the prescription.

“Not Those Kind of Doctors — A Serious Podcast by Unserious People” is hosted by Dr. Rosa Rylene King and Dr. Priscilla Belisle. Streaming on Spotify, it “explores the intersections of Oneida language, culture, healing, sovereignty and resilience.”