We are excited to invite you to join us for the premier professional development event focused on implementing Indian Education for All (IEFA) in Montana schools. 

Our 2026 conference theme, "We Are All Related: Planting the Seeds of Knowledge, Growing our Montana Story," emphasizes the vital connection between culturally responsive education and building strong community relationships. 

Prepare for two days of engaging sessions, hands-on workshops, and inspiring keynotes designed to provide you with practical, authentic strategies for embedding the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians across all grade levels and content areas. Come learn, share, and collaborate as we collectively work to ensure every student fully knows the history and identity of our state.  Best Practices 2026 Registration 

More information can be found on the Best Practices Conference website 

Celebrating the Strength and Resilience of Indigenous Women 

The Indian Education for All Unit joins the nation in celebrating Women's History Month in March 2026. This year, we particularly honor the remarkable contributions of Indigenous women throughout history and into the present day. 

Attend our IEFA webinar on March 3rd at 4:00 p.m. where we will be sharing IEFA resources to support instruction about Indigenous women.  Educators can receive one renewal unit for attending the webinar.  Webinar information can be found on our upcoming professional development tab 

Indigenous women have played a vital role in shaping their communities, preserving cultural traditions, and advocating for social justice. Their strength, resilience, and leadership have been essential to the survival and prosperity of tribal nations in Montana and across the country. 

The IEFA Unit is committed to ensuring that the stories and contributions of Indigenous women are accurately and equitably represented in Montana's classrooms. We encourage educators to utilize the resources below to teach students about the diverse experiences and perspectives of Indigenous women. 

Additionally, the IEFA Unit has developed a valuable resource with a daily lesson focused on Indigenous women for each of March's instructional days, linked here. We invite all Montanans to join us in celebrating the strength and resilience of Indigenous women during Women's History Month and beyond. 

100 YEARS is the story of Elouise Cobell and her 30-year fight for justice for over 300,000 Native Americans whose mineral-rich lands were grossly mismanaged by the US Government for over a century. 

Resilience: Stories of Montana Indian Women is a compilation stories about Native American women across Montana history. The stories reflect their personal and cultural resiliency, highlight the diversity among Montana’s Indian Tribes, and provide a window into the impact of Federal Indian Policies and American political movements on Montana Indians. Their stories also show students that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. 

Highlight the contemporary contributions of American Indian women featured on our Making Montana Proud Poster Series.   

https://montanawomenshistory.org/research/bibliographies/bibliography-of-resources-about-native-american-and-metis-women-in-montana/ 

Did you know about historic between the Choctaw and Irish?  

In recognition of St. Patrick’s Day check out this historic connection between the Choctaw Nation and the Irish that goes back to the Irish Potato Famine.  Their relationship began in 1847, when the Choctaws, who had only recently arrived over the ruinous “trail of tears and death” to what is now Oklahoma, took up a donation and collected over $5,000 (in today’s money) to support the Irish during the Potato Famine.  CHOCTAW NATION AND THE IRISH 

Formal Invitation to the 19th Annual IEFA Best Practices Conference

Dear Education Partners and Community Leaders, 

The Montana Office of Public Instruction, in partnership with the Indian Education for All (IEFA) and Tribal Student Achievement and Relations (TSAR) units, is honored to invite you to the 2026 IEFA Best Practices Conference. This year’s gathering, held at East Helena High School on March 23–24, serves as a vital forum for honoring our constitutional commitment to Montana’s Indigenous heritage. 

Our 2026 agenda features a distinguished lineup of voices representing the past, present, and future of IEFA:

• Keynote Youth Speaker: Watson Whitford member of the Chippewa Cree and Diné nations, sharing insights on youth leadership and cultural preservation. 
• Keynote Scholar: Dr. Shane Doyle Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation scholar and educational consultant, providing deep historical context and academic rigor to our shared mission. 
• A guided tour of the most anticipated cultural landmark in the Treasure State - the new Montana Heritage Center. 
• Featured Presentation: Presented by the Gardiner FFA Chapter, this award-winning showcase highlights contemporary Indigenous life through fashion, traditional foods, and community service. 
• The Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award-A central highlight of our conference is the presentation of the Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence in Indian Education for All. This award recognizes those whose tireless dedication ensures that tribal sovereignty and history are woven into the fabric of Montana classrooms. 
• IEFA Cultural Celebration-"An Evening of Indigenous Music and Humor," a special celebration of resilience and artistry at the Myrna Loy, featuring: 
• Rachel Twoteeth-Picardo: Native American Flute (Little Shell Chippewa). 
• Jamie Fox & Guests (Scotty Leach and Sapphire Ferguson-Jetty): Masters of the Métis and Michif fiddle traditions. 
• Scotty Leach is a pianist and fiddler hailing from Centralia, WA. 
• Sapphire Ferguson-Jetty Sapphire is descendant of the Spirit Lake Dakota and Turtle Mountain Chippewa.
• Thomas McClure: Séliš (Bitterroot Salish) comedian, bringing the "medicine of laughter" to our community. 

We look forward to standing with you as we grow our Montana story together. For registration details and the full conference schedule, please visit the OPI IEFA website. 

In the spirit of We Are All Related 

The IEFA and TSAR Team  

Montana Office of Public Instruction