19-06-2025
Two leaders of American Indian Education move on from Rochester Public Schools
Jun. 18—ROCHESTER — Both leaders tasked with overseeing Rochester Public Schools' Native American Education program are moving on from the district.
On Tuesday, June 17, the Rochester School Board recognized the work of Amelia Cordell and Tucker Quetone.
"Together, Amelia and Tucker have helped ensure that the Indigenous students of RPS feel seen, heard, and supported," said Will Ruffin II, RPS director of equity and engagement.
Quetone has been with the district for more than 30 years in a number of different roles, including those of teacher and teachers union president. He's currently listed as an American Indian Liaison.
"When I came to the district in the fall of 1992, I didn't think I would be here this long," he said. "I leave with a heart full of great memories, wonderful friends and colleagues, accomplishments that I've seen through the years in the district moving forward, especially with Indian Education."
Cordell, who is the RPS coordinator of American Indian Education, has been with the district for the past three years.
"I am going home to the reservation," Cordell told the School Board members. "I'm going to be the director of our Safe Home program. I'm going to be making sure 36 kiddos have a safe place after they've been kind of put out into the world."
According to biography on the district's website, Cordell is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota Nation) in norteastern South Dakota.
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, there are 121 Native American students in Rochester Public Schools. According to the district's website, however, Cordell and Quetone serve more than 245 Native students from 45 tribal nations.
Although Native students comprise a smaller percentage of students in the district overall, RPS has a number of initiatives to highlight the culture and legacy of Native nations.
It hosts an annual pow-wow, and in 2021 the district named its newest middle school "Dakota." Following the legislative session of 2023, the district also began developing a class focused on American Indian language and culture.
"It's always been a labor of love for me, but also one of struggle," Quetone said. "It seems there's always challenges and setbacks along the way. But as I look back, I see so much progress."
