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Committee hears bill to strengthen Indian Education for All accountability and tribal consultation

2784525 · March 26, 2025
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Summary

Senate Bill 181 would increase tribal consultation, require publication of implementation details, and add reporting/oversight to the Indian Education for All program; proponents from tribal nations, civil liberties groups and education organizations urged passage with suggested amendments to funding language.

The House Education Committee took testimony on Senate Bill 181, which sponsors described as a revision to Montana’s Indian Education for All (IEFA) law to strengthen tribal consultation, increase transparency and require improved accountability for how IEFA funds are spent.

Senator Jonathan Windyboy opened the hearing and said the bill is intended to address inconsistent implementation and reporting by school districts. Testimony in support came from a broad array of tribal nations, education advocates and civil‑liberties groups. Western Native Voices, representatives of the Blackfeet and Fort Belknap communities, the ACLU of Montana and the Coalition of Advocates for Montana’s Public Schools all testified in favor,…

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