Education Resources
Educating ourselves and others is core to the vision of Sturgeon Protectors. These resources and lessons can be used to inspire action in your classroom or community.
Video Lesson 1: Mark Denning
From: Sturgeon Protectors, 2025
For: Grades 4-12
Topic: Topic: Sturgeon, Great Lakes, Indigenous History and Culture, Dams
Subject Areas: Science, ELA, Social Studies, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
Summary: Mark Denning, of the Oneida and Menominee Nations, and a leader of Sturgeon Protectors, discusses several ways that Sturgeon are important to him and Native People.
Video Lesson 2: Siobhan Marks
From: Sturgeon Protectors, 2025
For: Grades 4-12
Topic: Sturgeon, Great Lakes, Indigenous History and Culture, Dams
Subject Areas: Science, ELA, Social Studies, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
Summary: Siobhan introduces us to the Namaew (prounounced New-May-Waa), which is a Menominee name for the Lake Sturgeon. It means ancient one or first fish. Siobhan discusses how these amazing fish have remained with us despite all the challenges we have thrown in their way.
Video Lesson 3: Shawano Dam Stories
From: Sturgeon Protectors, 2025
For: Grades 4-12
Topic: Sturgeon, Great Lakes, Indigenous History and Culture, Dams
Subject Areas: Science, ELA, Social Studies, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
Summary: Several Menominee Nation leaders discussing the impact of dams built without their consent in the 1800s on the Wolf River, and how that impacted the Sturgeon and Native People.
Video Lesson 4: Cultural Significance Menominee Sturgeon Stories
From: Sturgeon Protectors, 2025
For: Grades 4-12
Topic: Sturgeon, Great Lakes, Indigenous History and Culture, Dams
Subject Areas: Science, ELA, Social Studies, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
Summary: Speakers discuss the importance of Sturgeon as a major food source, how they are a “prehistoric honoring of spring”, how they tie people back to their history and cultural traditions like the fish dance that they learned as kids, and how Sturgeon were around at the time of dinosaurs and remind people of the importance of resilience.
Sturgeon Passage & Survival Game: Sammie Swim Home!
From: Mermaid Echo, 2025
For: Grades K-2
Topic: Great Lakes Fish
Subject Areas: Science, Social Studies, Art
Students will:
Understand that Sturgeon need to move through rivers
Experience how human changes make rivers harder
Learn that people can also help Sturgeon
Story Book & Activity: I AM A RIVER
From: Michael Timm (story) and Sydney Hoffman (illustrations), Reflo, 2025
For: Grades 5-8
Topic: Milwaukee River History, Dams, Fish Passage, Sturgeon
Subject Areas: Science, Social Studies, Art, ELA
Summary: This story takes the perspective of the Milwaukee River over the past few hundred years of change. If the river could speak, what do you think it would say?
Video: The Way of the Heart
From: Michael Timm, Reflo, 2024
For: Grades 4-12
Topic: Sturgeon, Indigenous History and Culture, Dams
Subject Areas: Science, ELA, Social Studies, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
Summary: Sturgeon Protectors' Mark Denning remarks at the dedication of the Kletzsch Dam Fishway in June 2024.
Coloring Page: Saving Our Sturgeon
From: Wisconsin Historic Society
Coloring Page: Saving Our Sturgeon 2
From: Wisconsin Sea Grant
Coloring Page: Sturgeon
From: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (glifwc.org)
Coloring Page: Sturgeon Facts
From: Shorewood Waters Project
Coloring Page: Restored Ecosystems
From: Milwaukee River Estuary Area of Concern Waterway Restoration Partnership
