P.O. Box 202501 • Helena, MT 59620-2501

Indian Student Achievement

 

Montana American Indian Student Achievement Data Report Fall 2018

 

In 2007, the Montana State Legislature passed Montana Code Annotated 20‐9‐330, appropriating $200.10 per American Indian child to provide funding to school districts for the purpose of closing the educational achievement gap that exists between American Indian students and non‐Indian students. 

This page shares resources and support around academics and well-being aimed at improving Indian Student Achievement. 

The most current Indian Student Achievement data can be found in the 2018 American Indian Student Achievement Data Report.  

Keep scrolling to meet the Indian Student Achievement team and access support and resources.

 


Indian Student Achievement Team

  • Lona Running Wolf

    Lona Running Wolf
    Director of American
    Indian Student Achievement

    Lona Running Wolf is Blackfeet and Haida and was born and raised in Browning Montana on the Blackfeet reservation, she is an enrolled member of the Haida Tribe. She has served in many capacities in education including a certified K-8 teacher, math & literacy interventionist, instructional coach, curriculum development, university adjunct professor, and as an Instructional leader for OPI. Lona is passionate about helping American Indian students to tap into their ancestral roots to develop a strong sense of pride that she believes is the key to increase student achievement. She is also committed to advocating for equitable education amongst American Indian students. Lona has an Elementary Education A.A. from Blackfeet Community College, a B.A. in Elementary Education from Salish Kootenai College, and an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction- Triple Literacy from the University of Texas.

    406.444.3013
    Lona.RunningWolf@mt.gov

  • Joan Franke

    Joan Franke
    Administrative
    Assistant

    Joan Franke has worked in OPI ‘s Indian Education office as an administrative assistant for over 20 years. Her rich experiences include supporting the development of curriculum and materials, coordinating professional development events, and distribution of materials. She provides invaluable support for Indian Student Achievement efforts as well as the implementation of Indian Education For All. She actively participates in Irish cultural activities and celebrations and is an avid reader.

    406.444.3694
    jfranke@mt.gov

  • Donnie Wetzel

    Donnie Wetzel
    Tribal, Family, and
    Community Liaison

    Don Wetzel Jr. is a member of the Blackfeet (Amskapi Pikuni) Tribe. He was the American Indian Youth Development Coordinator for OPI, developing youth leadership practices centered in self-identity through indigenous knowledge and strength braided with modern educational methodologies and holistic supports. He emphasizes the importance of youth voice, keeping the heart in decisions, and building relationships to bridge resources and efforts. In his new role, Don directs and leads collaboration and communication efforts between OPI and Montana tribes through consultation and inclusion of tribal voice. He will also emphasize and assist in linking opportunities of Indigenous perspectives into OPI interagency communication efforts, policies, and trainings as we bring together Montana’s unique strength and knowledge for the benefit of our districts and youth.

    406.444.4527
    DWetzel2@mt.gov

  • Patrick Armstrong

    Patrick Armstrong
    Culture/Language Immersion &
    Instructional Specialist

    Pat D Armstrong Jr. is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and was born and raised on the Blackfeet Reservation. He has worked in education for over 15 years as a paraprofessional, Native American Studies teacher, and as a classroom Language and Culture Immersion Teacher for 5th grade. Pat has assisted the district in developing language and cultural immersion practices and served as a grade level representative on the school leadership team. Pat has experience and knowledge in developing effective lesson and units that combine best instructional practices including infusion of Indigenous learning methods. Pat graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree Elementary Education from University of Montana Western alongside his wife and brother, something he is very proud of. He was recently awarded the MHSA 2020 Referee of the Year Award. Pat and his wife Anna, have three children. ​

    Patrick.Armstrong2@mt.gov

  • Todd Hanson

    Todd Hanson
    School Board Specialist/
    Instructional Coordinator

    As a long serving School Board Specialist in the Tribal Relations and Resiliency Unit, Todd relies on his background as a professionally trained educator and Master teacher to guide his work in the school districts he serves. Having spent the past twenty-five years working in public education systems as well as an instructor at several colleges and universities, Todd brings a large body of both academic and practical experience to his position. In addition to his professional credentials Todd has served multiple terms as a School Board Trustee and Chairman in his hometown district and currently is finishing his fourth term as a director on the Board of a local non-profit educational foundation. Todd and his wife Erica have six daughters, three which still live at home, and they spend their free time enjoying Montana’s great outdoors. ​

    THanson3@mt.gov

  • Dan McGee

    Dan McGee
    Data & Reporting Compliance
    Administrative Specialist

    Dan has been the transformational Leader for the American Indian Student Achievement Unit SIG Team for over three years. He began his educational career in 1995 teaching 7-12 science. He has also taught math and science in high school around the state until he completed his Educational Leadership program at MSU and began working as the K-12 Principal in Belt in 2008. In 2011 he took the role of Superintendent at Pryor and led them through the school improvement process making significant academic and operational improvement. Dan and his wife Laura live in Billings. They have three children in college and one in high school. They also have a grandchild in the 2nd grade.​ ​

    DMcGee@mt.gov

  • Durand Bear Medicine

    Durand Bear Medicine
    American Indian
    Achievement Specialist

    Durand T. Bear Medicine is an enrolled member of the Amskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet) tribe and a member of the Assiniboine & Sioux tribes of Fort Peck. He has worked with the Blackfeet tribe in various programs as a clinician and administrator for 14 years. Durand became an LAC in 2014 and certified as a Chemical Dependency Counselor with the Northwest Indian Alcohol/Drug Certification Board in 2008. Serving as the clinical coordinator for Southern Peigan School Health, a school based clinic on the reservation, he helped develop it into an essential healthcare option for the community. Durand emphasizes the use of holistic therapy concepts, advocating for cultural practices and approaches in addiction treatment. Durand received his B.A. in Community Leadership from MSU Northern in 2020. His dedication to recovery is evident with his role on local and regional addiction boards. ​

    Durand.BearMedicine@mt.gov

Student Support

American Indian College Fund - Financial Aid Basics

American Indian Graduate Center

Cobell Scholarship

Financial Aid Guide for Minority Students

Indian Health Service Scholarship Program

Indigenous Scholars of Promise

Native American College Student Support Guide

Scholarships & Resources for Native American and Alaska Native Students

Scholarships for Native American Students

Strategies for Improving the Accuracy Native Student Identification

 

School Climate Resources

Optimizing Education Data Systems

Attendance Works

Chronic Absence and Native American Students: Unique Challenges

Directory of Indian Education Programs in Montana

15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention

Rural Dropout Prevention Resources

Montana GEAR UP

MSU TRiO Student Support Services 

U of M TRIO Student Support Services

American Indian College Fund

American Indian Higher Education Consortium

State Resources

 

American Indian/ Minority Achievement Program

American Indian Tuition Waiver

Directory of Indian Education Programs in Montana

Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs

Tribal Nations in Montana: A Handbook for Legislators

 

Tribal Colleges

Our state has the wonderful opportunity to have tribal colleges located on most of our reservation areas.  Tribal colleges offer small class sizes and high quality instructors.  Each offers programs and degrees in a variety of subjects, majors and degrees.  Tribal colleges are open to all students interested in pursing additional education opportunities, while also offering tribal resources and connections to those interested in understanding more about our unique Tribal Nations in Montana.

Aaniiih Nakoda College   - Ft. Belknap Reservation

Blackfeet Community College- Blackfeet Reservation

Chief Dull Knife College- Northern Cheyenne Reservation

Fort Peck Community College- Ft. Peck Reservation

Little Big Horn College- Crow Reservation

Salish Kootenai College-  Flathead Reservation

Stone Child College- Rocky Boy Reservation

 

National Resources

 

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

The majority of Montana's Native American students are enrolled in public schools located outside of reservation boundaries. Students in public schools, either within or near reservations are also served by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. The Bureau of Indian Education is responsible for the educational guidance for a small percentage of American Indian students throughout the United States.   Montana does have two BIE schools: Northern Cheyenne Tribal School located in Busby, MT and Two Eagle River School in Pablo, MT.

Montana Advisory Council for Indian Education (MACIE)

Constitution

Preamble:
The Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education was established by the Board of Public Education and the Office of Public Instruction to function in an advisory capacity for the education of American Indian students in Montana.

The Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education shall be a strong voice for collaborative efforts among tribal, state, and federal organizations, institutions, groups, and agencies for the express purpose of promoting high quality and equitable educational opportunities for all American Indian students in Montana. This includes, but is not limited to, culture, language, and Indian Education for All.

Membership:
BPE and OPI will jointly make appointments to MACIE based on nominations from Indian tribes, Indian organizations, major education organizations in which Indians participate, and schools where American Indian students and adults attend.

 

Next MACIE Meetings

  • September 9, 2020 - Strategic Planning Meeting - 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • October 7, 2020 - Regular MACIE Meeting - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    • Agenda
  • These meetings will be conducted by Zoom. Please email Joan Franke for the links and passwords
 

Previous MACIE Meetings