Brooke Gondara Headshot

Dr. Brooke Gondara

406-422-6958
Director of Tribal Student 
Achievement and Relations

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Tribal Inclusion, Consultation and diversity teachings
  2. Indian Student Achievement efforts and student holistic support
  3. Facilitate youth and knowledge keepers for inclusion and guidance

Dr. Brooke Gondara is a citizen of the Tsitsistas/Suhtaio Nation of southeastern Montana and an Oglala Dakota descendent. Dr. Gondara recently left a 25+ year career in higher education administration, primarily in community and tribal colleges in the roles of dean, associate dean, and president in the states of Montana, Oregon, Alaska, and New Mexico. She currently resides on the traditional lands of the Apsáalooke Nation in Huntley with her husband. She is the mother of three adult daughters and the geh'et (grandmother) of three amazing grandchildren. Brooke is a crazy dog lady who is passionately involved in the Rez dog rescue and working with her own pack of rescue Catahoula leopard hounds and pittbulls. She enjoys precious time with family, traveling, cooking, ethnobotany and traditional foods, berry picking, indigenous research and data, and is an avid trivia player who rarely misses Jeopardy or the local Monday night games in Huntley.

Crystal Hickman

 Crystal Hickman

406-839-6734
American Indian 
Student Achievement Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Provide support to students and schools to receive fair and equitable treatment to close the achievement gap including work in climate, social and emotional supports, student voice, and family/community engagement.
  2. Support the implementation of evidence-based and indigenous strategies for teaching and learning.
  3. Support efforts to integrate culture, language, and identity into learning environments.

Crystal Rondeaux Hickman is an enrolled member of the Apsaalooke Tribe and of Northern Cheyenne descent. She is a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and daughter. She values spending time with her family above all else. Crystal has worked in the human services and community organizing fields for 20 years. She is passionate about working with the resilience of tribal people, youth empowerment, and giving voice to those who have none.

Matthew Bell

 Matthew Bell

406-431-6626
Language and
Culture Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Technical Assistance/Grant Management for MILP and ILIP Language grants
  2. Class 7 Language and Culture point of contact
  3. Language and Culture Curriculum Research and Development point of contact

Matt is Nakoda and Aaniiih from the Fort Belknap community. He is a University of Montana graduate with degrees in English Teaching and Native American Studies. He taught in Missoula, Montana for several years before joining the Office of Public Instruction as the Language and Culture Specialist. Matt is working to consult with tribal education entities and infuse the collaborative work in to more public education settings for all Montana students. Matt is also working in collaboration the Tribal Student Achievement, Relations and Resiliency unit to promote indigenous student voice and success. Pinamaya


Michele Henson

 Michele Henson

406-595-1058
Indian Achievement Specialist 

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Collaborate with American Indian students, schools, caregivers, tribes, and community members to ensure all American Indian students feel safe and supported at school.
  2. Strive to create the conditions necessary to close the American Indian student achievement gap and create pathways for American Indian students to meet their academic and lifelong goals.
  3. Support the implementation of evidence-based and indigenous, whole-child strategies for teaching and learning.

Michele Henson is an American Indian Student Achievement Specialist at the Office of Public Instruction. In her current role, Michele is dedicated to assuring all American Indian students feel safe and supported in school and have the resources they need to meet their academic and lifelong goals. Raised in Corvallis, Montana, Michele graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Community Health from Montana State University and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Arizona. Michele has worked in the field of health promotion since 2011 and is passionate about supporting local, strength-based solutions to help schools and communities thrive.

Joan Franke

 Joan Franke

406-444-3694
Administrative Assistant

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Conference work
  2. Publications Updates
  3. MACIE meetings

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 actively participates in Irish cultural activities and celebrations and is an avid reader.