House Education Committee hears tribal compacting pilot update as tribes push for language immersion and local governance

Juneau — Representatives from five tribal partners told the Alaska House Education Committee on Jan. 28 that a proposed pilot to establish tribally compacted public schools aims to restore tribal authority over local education and expand language immersion programs.

Misha Jackson, tribal education liaison for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, told committee members the compacting concept is a government-to-government contractual model designed to let tribes operate public schools while meeting statewide standards. Jackson said the pilot (reflected in draft bill language described as HB 59 / SB 66) would be limited in scope, uncodified and intended as a research-style pilot for five tribes selected through the earlier demonstration project. Under current draft language, compacted schools would need to be in operation by June 30, 2028.

"This is not just a bill in front of you — these are our children, these are our future generations," Jackson said, framing compacting as a tool for sovereignty, community-centered operations and education innovation.

Joel Isaac, who described his role as the compacting…