This three-hour course provides an overview of Indian Education for All, including the legal foundation, Montana’s 7 Essential Understandings, and an introduction to the state’s tribes and reservations. Participants will explore vetted, content-specific lesson plans for middle school and examine the role of cultural pedagogy in creating inclusive classrooms. Participants engage in 1 hour of independent tasks beyond the 2 hour scheduled session, applying selected resources in their classrooms, reflecting on those experiences, and collaborating with the instructor to fulfill remaining hours. Together, they will align these practices with standards and culturally responsive strategies that honor all students’ identities and perspectives.

This three-hour course offers an introduction to Indian Education for All, including its legal foundations, the 7 Essential Understandings, and an overview of Montana tribes and reservations. Participants will explore vetted lesson plans and examine culturally responsive pedagogy. Outside of class, educators will apply selected resources, reflect on their experiences, and collaborate with the instructor to fulfill additional hours. Together, they will tailor strategies to align with standards and foster inclusive, culturally rich learning environments.

This three-hour course builds on foundational IEFA knowledge by guiding educators in the integration of Indigenous perspectives across content areas. Participants will explore strategies that promote student belonging, support identity development, and cultivate inclusive learning environments through reflective and culturally responsive teaching practices. Outside of class, educators will adapt lessons, apply strategies in their classrooms, and reflect on outcomes. Additional hours will be fulfilled through collaboration with the instructor, focusing on aligning instructional approaches with standards and advancing equity through culturally grounded practices.

This advanced course equips educators with strategies to sustain inclusive, culturally affirming learning environments. Participants will explore culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies that honor students' identities and empower them to thrive academically and socially. Through a focus on cultural literacy, equity, and community engagement, educators will strengthen their ability to integrate Indigenous perspectives and foster lasting school-wide change. This course supports participants in building the capacity to lead with purpose, deepen cultural competency, and uplift all learners.

This 15-hour professional development series equips educators with the knowledge and tools to authentically integrate the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians into their teaching. Through primary source analysis, reflective practice, and culturally grounded dialogue, participants will learn to build inclusive, student-centered classrooms where all voices are valued. The course supports educators in moving beyond surface-level inclusion to implement meaningful, equity-driven practices that affirm identity and foster academic success for all learners.

In this six-hour immersive session, we journey through the rich history and practical ingenuity of the tipi, a symbol of Native American cultural resilience. Beginning with the Clovis child and the early evolution of nomadic life, we explore how the tipi emerged as the ideal mobile home for Indigenous peoples, offering shelter, safety, and a deep connection to the natural world. As we move forward, we delve into the science behind its structure, concluding with an exploration of the thermodynamics of the tipi—understanding its remarkable insulation and energy efficiency. This session connects cultural heritage with cutting-edge science, offering a unique, holistic view of one of the most innovative, enduring architectural forms in human history.

Exploration of key U.S. policies towards Native American tribes. Participants will engage with tools that will provide experiences of pivotal historical moments, and a reflection on the Past, Present, and Future impact of these policies. This session provides a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between tribes and the federal government, fostering informed discussion and advocacy for change.

Participants will explore primary and secondary sources to critically examine the legacy of Christopher Columbus. This course challenges educators to reflect on their instructional practices and apply critical literacy strategies to Montana's Indian Education for All (IEFA) standards. Participants will develop an action plan for implementing inclusive, inquiry-based learning. Aligned with Charlotte Danielson’s Framework, the course supports growth in content knowledge, classroom discourse, and reflective practice.

Teachers will analyze primary and secondary sources to explore Thanksgiving from diverse viewpoints, including Wampanoag and other Indigenous perspectives. This course supports the integration of Montana’s Indian Education for All (IEFA) and encourages educators to critically reflect on their teaching practices. Participants will develop an action plan to implement culturally responsive lessons that meet Common Core standards across K–12 content areas. 

Teachers will explore the history and lasting impact of the Boarding School Era, when Native children were forcibly removed from their homes to be assimilated in government and church-run institutions. The course emphasizes culturally responsive teaching as a pathway to healing and understanding. Educators will engage with primary sources, inquiry-based discussions, and literacy strategies aligned with Common Core and IEFA Essential Understandings. It supports Danielson domains: Knowing Students, Building Respectful Environments, and Instructional Responsiveness. Assessment includes a K-W-L chart.

A Pow Wow is a celebration of Native American dancing, singing, and culture. Teachers are invited to attend the Billings Public School "Honoring Our Youth" Pow Wow to experience vibrant Native cultures. The event begins with an information session at 11:00 am in the small gym, followed by the Grand Entry at noon. Participants will then have two hours to explore the Pow Wow, complete a scavenger hunt for fun facts, and receive an info packet about the dancers and event. The Pow Wow is organized by students and teachers, providing a chance for interaction. The session concludes with an informal Q&A at 2:00 pm. Teachers are encouraged to bring family and friends.

This course introduces teachers to the history, traditions, and annual events of Crow Fair, using an interdisciplinary approach to explore cultural expression and identity. Participants will examine how cultural practices are shaped and experienced, with an emphasis on tribal diversity, identity, and the role of culture in fostering Indigenous student pride and self-esteem. The course also explores contemporary American Indian life and how culture influences thought, behavior, and educational experiences today.

This 18-hour book study uses Braiding Sweetgrass as a foundation for exploring Indigenous knowledge, scientific understanding, and storytelling. Through discussion and reflection—without required reading—teachers will connect the book’s themes to IEFA Essential Understanding #3 and develop culturally responsive lessons for their content areas. The course fosters creative approaches to inquiry, story-based learning, and personal and professional growth. All materials, including the book, will be provided.

This four-part course uses selected readings from Braiding Sweetgrass to explore the connection between Indigenous knowledge and the urban environment. Participants will meet at various outdoor locations to reflect on key themes—reciprocity, gratitude, belonging, and restoration—and how they relate to place-based education. Through discussion and observation, educators will examine how these themes support Indian Education for All, the Essential Understandings, and cultural integration in diverse educational settings. Attendance at all four sessions is required.

This three-day professional learning series immerses educators in Indigenous history, art, and cultural knowledge through place-based experiences on the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Reservations. Participants will engage with Indigenous artists and cultural educators, explore storytelling through art, and deepen their understanding of the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians. Through hands-on activities—such as drawing, tipi building, and tasting traditional foods—educators will gain practical strategies to integrate Indian Education for All (IEFA) across content areas in meaningful and culturally responsive ways.