Curriculum Development

Family Circles provides culturally grounded curriculum development rooted in Native values, teachings, and Indigenous ways of being. This work supports schools, tribal communities, behavioral health programs, and organizations in creating meaningful, relevant, and effective learning experiences that reflect the identities, strengths, and priorities of the communities they serve.

Curriculum is more than content—it is a reflection of values, relationships, and ways of understanding the world. Family Circles approaches curriculum development as a process of aligning learning with culture, community, and purpose through a culturally grounded and trauma-informed approach.

 Family Circles designs curriculum that is:

• Culturally grounded – rooted in Native teachings and Indigenous ways of being 
•  Trauma-informed – recognizing the impacts of historical and lived trauma while creating safe, supportive, and empowering learning environments 
• Community-informed – shaped by the voices, values, and priorities of the people it serves 
• Holistic – integrating identity, social-emotional learning, and community connection 
• Practical and adaptable – designed for real-world use across diverse settings 
• Sustainable – built for long-term implementation, not one-time use 

This approach ensures that curriculum is not only meaningful, but also usable, relevant, and aligned with the lived experiences of participants.

Curriculum that integrates Native teachings, identity development, and community-based learning. 

Content that supports self-awareness, emotional development, relationship-building, and cultural connection. 

Programming focused on substance use prevention, healthy decision-making, and community-based wellness. 

Standards-aligned or adaptable curriculum for K–12, post-secondary institutions, and educational programs, with culturally responsive integration. 

Curriculum designed for use in tribal programs, youth initiatives, behavioral health settings, and community organizations.  

Family Circles takes a collaborative and community-centered approach to curriculum development.

This may include:

• Listening sessions and community input 
• Alignment with cultural values and teachings 
• Integration of local knowledge and priorities 
• Collaborative development of structured lesson plans and materials 
• Creation of facilitator guides and implementation tools 

Each curriculum is developed in partnership to ensure it reflects the unique identity, goals, and context of the community or organization.

Our team is comprised of Native educators, cultural knowledge keepers, traditional harvesters, craftspeople, and elders that hold cultural humility as a cornerstone to their work.

This work is informed by extensive experience across:

• Native education initiatives 
• Tribal community engagement 
• Behavioral health and prevention programming 
• Curriculum design and program development 
• Cross-sector collaboration with schools, colleges/universities, and organizations 

Family Circles brings both lived experience and professional expertise to ensure curriculum is not only culturally grounded, but also effective and implementable.

 Family Circles curriculum development is distinct because it:

• Centers Indigenous ways of being—not as an addition, but as the foundation 
• Moves beyond surface-level cultural inclusion toward meaningful integration 
• Connects learning to identity, responsibility, and community 
• Bridges education, prevention, and wellness into a unified framework 
• Prioritizes relationship-building over transactional design 

Family Circles works with:

• Tribal communities and departments 
• Schools and school districts 
• Colleges and universities
• Behavioral health and recovery programs 
• Nonprofits and community-based organizations 
• Youth and prevention-focused initiatives
• Courts and probation & parole