IEFA Current December 2025

IEFA Updates

2026 Indian Education for All Best Practices Conference – Save the Date – March 23^rd – 24^th East Helena High School

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) Indian Education for All (IEFA) Unit invites you to attend the 2026 IEFA Best Practices Conference (March 23^rd and 24^th, East Helena High School), themed: "We Are All Related: Planting the Seeds of Knowledge, Growing Our Montana Story."  This is a vital opportunity to learn and share successful strategies, resources, and innovative practices for integrating the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians into your curriculum and fostering culturally sustaining pedagogy.

We are seeking engaging, practical sessions that demonstrate how you are building strong community relationships and embedding authentic IEFA content into your curriculum across all grade levels. The Call for Presenters / Proposals will be posted and sent out in early December.

Join us for our December 9^th Indian Education for All Across the Content Area Webinar.  This webinar will focus on resources for teaching about Indigenous oral traditions.  Please join us from 4:00 – 5:00 on December 9^th.  Educators will receive one renewal unit for attending.

Native Filmmaker Initiative Film Club

Exploring HERITAGE with the powerful documentary film “INISKIM – Return of the Buffalo”

INISKIM is cinematic wonder and an incredible opportunity to learn about Indigenous ways of knowing. We watch as a group of puppeteers are transformed by their experience of ‘being buffalo’ at night under the stars. *THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED FOR 6-12 GRADES

Register for the Film Club and share the film with your students and join us on December 9^th from 2:00 – 3:00 for a live webinar featuring a Q & A with the filmmakers and subjects.

YouTube Channel Are you looking for engaging and informative resources to improve your IEFA background knowledge and improve your teaching? Check out our YouTube Channel for engaging IEFA content and a wealth of classroom materials to deepen understanding and enhance your teaching.

Questions about funding? Be sure to look at our IEFA funding guidance regarding the use and reporting of IEFA funds

IEFA Finance Reporting Update FAQ

IEFA ANB Reporting Guide

HOW TO - IEFA PAYMENT: REPORTING GUIDE

If you have any questions, please reach out to one of the IEFA team members. Contact information can be found here. 

The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.