MWS Native Reconciliation Tuition Program
In recognition of the historical and continuing trauma inflicted by colonialism on the Native people of North America, Marin Waldorf School (MWS) makes the following effort toward reconciliation and reparations: Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, MWS will offer a tuition-free Waldorf education for a select number of students whose families are members of an indigenous tribe in the United States. MWS intends to see these students through their graduation from 8th grade, so long as it is recognized that MWS remains a good fit for a given student.
Background
With the Native Reconciliation Tuition Program, Marin Waldorf School is responding to a call to action from the Lakota Waldorf School, located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, in South Dakota. In their December 9, 2021, call to action, the Lakota Waldorf School stated:
Waldorf education is more than teaching, it is a healing pedagogy, and therefore has enormous potential to bring healing and a positive future to the Native Americans children. As Waldorf Schools we must strive to serve all children, and in view of our nation’s history, Waldorf schools are called on to make a move toward reconciliation, toward reparation that goes further than words, but is action and deeds.
We are grateful to the Lakota Waldorf School for their leadership in this initiative.
Please make a gift in support of the Native Reconciliation Tuition Program. Your gift will help us expand this important initiative and bolster our school's social mission.
Our land acknowledgement is spoken out loud every week at the start of the faculty meeting. It is a living document. Every year, our 8th grade class is asked to carefully review, consider, and make suggestions for the renewal and update of our school’s land acknowledgment. Following is the text we currently use (revised 2023).
An Evolving Land Acknowledgement for Marin Waldorf School
This school resides on the unceded ancestral land of the Coast Miwok, Yokuts, Patwin, Ohlone and other Indigenous peoples. They still live here, thrive here, and care for this land.
We want to learn histories from multiple perspectives so we can better understand the places we call home. We want to grow in a community that cultivates an expansive mindset with diverse ideas, people, and practices. We believe it is our responsibility to help restore the people and places that have been damaged, and to do our part to ensure a regenerative future.
About Marin Waldorf School
Marin Waldorf School is a co-educational independent preschool to 8th grade located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Miwok people in San Rafael, California. Based on the educational philosophy of early 20th century artist, writer, and scientist Rudolf Steiner, the Waldorf curriculum is a vibrant, interdisciplinary blend of math, sciences, art, music, healthy movement, language arts, world languages, and outdoor education. Well-rounded academic and social programs emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills, healthy social life, and a love for learning that prepares students for high school, college, and beyond. Read more from the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America at waldorfeducation.org