Tribal Student Achievement and Relations

“Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.” – Sitting Bull

The Tribal Relations and Resiliency Unit was developed to build relationships and shared understanding within the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and Montana school districts, incorporating Tribal voice, sharing resources, and building connections through consultation on matters affecting American Indian students. It has since evolved into the Tribal Student Achievement and Relations Unit (TSAR). Within Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements, TSAR supports school districts and Tribal leaders to work collaboratively for the benefit of youth, using ESSA as an opportunity to re-envision educational systems in Indian Country.

In conjunction with the ESSA approach, TSAR follows traditional Tribal protocol of consultation through the guidance of Elders. An Elder and Culture Wisdom Council offers direction in efforts to strengthen self-identity, holistic wellness, and knowledge sharing, alongside doctoral-level Indigenous educators. The team also includes a School Mental Health Support Services Coordinator tasked with providing wellness and holistic support that is essential to students’ educational journeys. Through these relationships and partnerships, TSAR works to elevate the resiliency, wisdom, and strength of Indigenous people at every level within OPI and local educational agencies (LEAs).

• Consultation Between Tribal Nations and School Districts (PDF)
• Every Student Succeeds Act Tribal Consultation Pre‑Planning Tool for Tribes (PDF)
• Montana OPI – Title Funds Verification of Tribal Consultation (PDF)
• Meaningful Local Engagement Under ESSA: Handbook for LEA and School Leaders (PDF)
• Graduate Profile Development: Engaging Montana Tribes and American Indians (PDF)

The following is a list of current programs that require an affected local education agency (LEA) to consult with Indian tribes or Tribal organizations prior to submitting a plan or application for these covered programs:

• Title I, Part A – Improving Basic Programs Operated by State and Local Educational Agencies
• Title I, Part C – Education of Migratory Children
• Title I, Part D – Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk
• Title II, Part A – Supporting Effective Instruction
• Title III, Part A – English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act
• Title IV, Part A – Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
• Title IV, Part B – 21st Century Community Learning Centers
• Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 – Rural and Low-Income School Program
• Title VI, Part A, Subpart 1 – Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies

Consultation creates opportunities for LEAs and Tribal leaders to work together on behalf of American Indian and Alaska Native students, ensuring that the process drives positive outcomes for administrators, Indian tribes and Tribal representatives, and, most importantly, Native students.

Montana OPI – Verification of Tribal Consultation for Title Funds

The Shared Strategies to Support American Indian Students document is a direct result of Tribal consultation and community participation. Through a series of conversations with OPI staff, Tribal leaders and their departments, community members, language instructors, school staff, and youth, we collaborated to identify effective strategies schools may consider implementing to support youth and to strengthen school and community supports for years to come.

These efforts are grounded in place‑based traditional strategies for success and are informed by federal guidance on the use of ESSER III funds. We gathered skilled and knowledgeable stakeholders to share the good work happening in their schools and communities and to disseminate those practices across the state as they relate to enrichment.

Academic enrichment provides opportunities for inclusion and educational evolution as schools adapt and braid philosophies, methodologies, and practices that support American Indian students and help center and balance the educational journeys they are on.

In October 2021, OPI staff convened cultural Elders and knowledge keepers from every Tribal nation in Montana and formed the Elder and Cultural Wisdom Council (ECWC), which was renamed the Knowledge Keepers of Indigenous Nations (KKIN) in September 2022. OPI staff supported KKIN in organizing as a collective group and creating avenues for knowledge sharing and consultation for those who seek it.

KKIN continues to operate as an independent body of Knowledge Keepers and provides consultation to OPI and other organizations seeking assistance with cultural approaches to holistic youth development, as well as other forms of Indigenous knowledge.