February 5, 2026
Dear Indian Island School Community, Students, Parents, and Families,
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I write to you today to celebrate a truly historic moment in our school's history. This afternoon, we had the distinct honor of welcoming
William (Billy) Kirkland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and the 15th person to hold this distinguished position in the United States Department of the Interior. His visit to Indian Island School was not just an official occasion—it was a testament to the remarkable work, dedication, and spirit of our entire community.
To our students: You are the heart of everything we do. Today, you demonstrated excellence, pride, and cultural strength in ways that filled us all with joy. Your presentation in the STEAM classroom was nothing short of impressive—showcasing 21st-century learning, cutting-edge technology, and innovative teaching methods that prepare you for a bright future. You proved that Indian Island School students are leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
Your traditional drumming and dancing in the gymnasium moved all who witnessed it. The regalia, the songs, the movements, each one carried the strength of the ancestors and the promise of our future. You honored the Penobscot and the Wabanaki heritage with grace and dignity, and you made us all incredibly proud.
To our parents and families: Thank you for your partnership, your support, and your commitment to our children's education. Your presence and participation in today's visit reinforced that we are a community united in our dedication to excellence and cultural preservation. The values you instill at home shine brightly in our students every single day.
To Principal Mingwun Dana: Your leadership made this day possible. The tour you led, the vision you bring to our school every day, and your unwavering commitment to our students' success created an experience that Assistant Secretary Kirkland will not forget. You exemplify what it means to lead with both excellence and cultural integrity.
To the Indian Island School Committee and the Penobscot Tribal Government: Your governance, wisdom, and dedication to education ensure that our school remains a place where academic excellence and cultural education walk hand in hand. Your participation in today's visit demonstrated the collaborative spirit that makes our educational system unique and powerful.
To our dedicated staff: Your hard work, creativity, and commitment to integrating culture and language into teaching and learning are transforming lives. The STEAM classroom demonstration, the language and culture room experience, and every aspect of today's visit reflected the extraordinary educational environment you create for our students every single day.
Today's walkthrough of our school showcased something that cannot be measured by test scores alone: it revealed a learning community where tradition and innovation thrive together, where students are deeply rooted in their cultural identity while reaching for the stars, and where every member of our community contributes to something greater than themselves.
Assistant Secretary Kirkland witnessed firsthand the power of tribal education done right. He saw students who are proud of who they are, educators who honor both academic rigor and cultural teaching, and a community that stands together in support of our children. This is what makes Indian Island School extraordinary.
Thank you to every student who performed, to every parent who supported, to every staff member who prepared, to our principal who led, to our School Committee and Tribal Government who governed with wisdom, and to our entire community who came together to make this day unforgettable.
Today, we showed the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs what we already know: Indian Island School is a place of excellence, pride, and promise.
Thank you all.
With deep gratitude and immense pride,
Dr. Reza Namin
Superintendent of Maine Indian Education