Montana Sets Gold Standard for Indigenous Education Nationwide

A Montana court has granted preliminary approval of a settlement requiring the state to enforce its Indian Education for All Act across all public schools, with clear oversight and enforcement tools mandating curriculum integration and educator-tribal collaboration. The lawsuit was filed in 2021 on behalf of 18 students and five tribal nations against the state education office for failing to implement education on tribal nations promised by Montana's 1972 Constitution and 1999 law.

The settlement is subject to final court approval following a notice period; preliminary approval has been granted.