Preserving Native American culture in Dallas ISD  

Tana Takes Horse is shaping the future of the American Indian Education Program in Dallas ISD. In a role deeply rooted in her experience as a professional, a Native woman and a mother, she is guiding students on a journey to understand and embrace their Native identity. 

November, Native American Heritage Month, is a time to honor the histories, traditions and resilience of the indigenous peoples of North America . But in Dallas, where a distinct Native community has existed for more than 70 years, Takes Horse said many remain unaware of it.  

“There are quite a few descendants in the American Indian program,” she said. “We are trying to fill these students’ gaps in learning. A lot of times, that’s uncovering identity, especially since many students have never been back to their reservations.” 

The roots of this community date back to the 1950’s, when the Indian Relocation Act of 1956 brought Native Americans from reservations across the country to West Dallas. Now, three generations later, many of their descendants in Dallas ISD have not had the opportunity to learn about their culture.  

“When I first started with the program, a lot of my students could not tell me about their tribe,” she said. “So that’s been a major goal for me, to teach them, so they are able to say where they are from.”  

To reconnect students to their heritage, Takes Horse hosts a Native Book Club and runs a mobile library that visits schools once a month. She reads with students and leaves them with a free book written by Native authors, helping to expose students to native cultures even beyond their own.  

And as a native herself, she embodies the journey of reclaiming one’s identity.  

“I am Crow,” said Takes Horse. “My father is from the reservation in Montana, and I grew up in southeast Oklahoma, which is Chickasaw territory. I am also Chickasaw, Choctaw, Chippewa and Hidatsa. My kids are enrolled in the Choctaw tribe.”  

A native of Oklahoma, she graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and brought her passion for Native culture and education to Dallas ISD. She said joining the district’s Native community has been both eye-opening and inspiring.  

Takes Horse balances her role managing the program with her role as a mother. Her children are students at Emmett J. Conrad High School and K.B. Polk Elementary School and they regularly participate in AIEP events and festivals.  

“It is wonderful because as parents, we’re so busy with football games, dance and piano that you sometimes forget to teach your children about their tribe,” she said. “These experiences give me a chance to tell them that we have this rich history and help other parents do the same. Those conversations might not have happened otherwise.” 

Takes Horse often travels with students and families on cultural field trips. In June, after attending a cultural camp in Durant, Okla., she took her children to the Choctaw Culture Center to deepen their connection to who they are.  

Through other events, such as the Native College Fair, Takes Horse is creating opportunities within the program that prepare students for success in college.  The fair focuses on topics about financial aid, scholarships, and budgeting and features representatives from colleges with thriving Native American Student Associations. 

Among her proudest accomplishments is establishing a graduation ceremony for Native high school seniors, first held in May 2025. Surrounded by their Native American traditions, students were able to celebrate themselves in a meaningful way. With a strong commitment to student well-being, she also ensures Native students have access to vital resources. 

“It’s great to see this kind of program take off in Dallas,” she said. “I’m proud as a parent, as the administrator, and as a Native American.”