The unique historical relationship between Tribal Nations and the United States government is a special federal-Indian relationship. This federal-Indian relationship was shaped by the United States Constitution and treaties, and as living documents, the United States Constitution and treaties between tribal Nations is the foundation for the special federal “fiduciary” responsibility for the education of Native learners.
Under various pieces of federal legislation, the United States Congress has stipulated that its responsibility is to ensure that educational programs for all American Indian students and adults meet specific criteria. These programs should (a) focus on high-quality, internationally competitive content and performance standards and (b) reinforce the Indian culture and the Indian community.
The U.S. Office of Indian Education in Washington directly offers a number of programs. These programs may be offered to schools through Formula Grants, Demonstration Grants, and Professional Development Grants.
Save the date for the 9th annual North Dakota Indian Education Summit to be held July 6 & 7, 2023 in Bismarck at the ND Heritage Center and the State Capitol Building. Watch for information regarding registration, tentatively set to open April 3, 2023 at 8am.

North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings
This is the home of the North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings (NDNAEU) as well as a growing collection of Elder video interviews, lesson plans and other resources.
Native American Needs Assessment Survey & Action Plan
The Native American Needs Assessment Action Plan is designed to assist educators and administrators in addressing the needs and areas of possible opportunity that have been identified through the annual Native American Needs Assessment Survey.
North Dakota ESSA Tribal Stakeholder and Tribal Consultation
A requirement under Section 8538 of ESSA requires affected Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to consult with Indian Tribes and tribal agencies on issues affecting Native American students.
North Dakota Indian Education Advisory Council
North Dakota Indian Education Advisory Council is to act in an advisory role to the department in matters affecting the education of Indian students in North Dakota.
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI), Office of Indian/Multicultural Education and the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission would like to thank those who participated in the 8th Annual North Dakota Indian Education Summit (NDIES).
This year's event is being planned and information will be posted here soon. Registration for the 2023 Summit will be available in April. This two-day event will be held at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Capitol in Bismarck, ND on July 6-7, 2023. This annual event is open to all ND educators and is designed to provide professional development and education on best practices in Indian education.
The Summit will include two full days of dynamic keynotes, educational breakout sessions, cultural presentations, breakfast, lunch, snacks, beverages, handouts/resource materials, door prizes, and great networking opportunities.
There is limited space available for this popular annual event, so be sure to register early.
If you have any questions not answered by the following resources (items will be linked when details are finalized), please contact the Indian Education Office.
- Eventbrite Registration
- 2023 NDIES Agenda
- Breakout Session Schedule
- Featured Keynote Speakers
- Capitol Grounds Map
- ND Heritage Center Map
- Capitol Ground Floor Map
- Workshop Credit
- Local Hotel Information (provided by the Bismarck-Mandan Visitor and Convention Bureau)
2022 Vendors (V) and Exhibitors (E) included:
- V - Color Street with Lauri
- V - Color Street with Tami
- V - Native Artists United with Shawna
- V - Native Artists United with Willow & Emma
- V - Pemmican Patty Food Company, Inc.
- V - Tastefully Simple
- E - 7 Generation Games
- E - Circle of Nations School
- E - Family and Child Education (FACE Program)
- E - High Plains Fair Housing Center
- E - Native, Inc.
- E - North Dakota Afterschool Network
- E - North Dakota Navigators
- E - North Dakota State Library
- E - North Dakota United
- E - Pathfinder Services of ND
- E - RoboKind
- E - State Historical Society of ND
- E - University of North Dakota Indigenous Health Dept
- E - Waterford.org
Spirit Lake Tribe
P.O. Box 359
Fort Totten, ND 58335
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
P.O. Box D
Fort Yates, ND 58538
Three Affiliated Tribes-MHA Nation
HC3 Box 2
New Town, ND 58763
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
P.O. Box 900
Belcourt, ND 58316
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
7 Chestnut St E,
Sisseton, SD 57262
Below are links to North Dakota State Universities, Tribal Colleges, organizational scholarships, along with links to other opportunities.
North Dakota State Universities
- Bismarck State College
- Dakota College at Bottineau
- Dickinson State University
- Mayville State University
- North Dakota State College of Science
- North Dakota State University
- University of North Dakota
- Valley City State University
- Williston State College
Tribal Colleges
- Cankdeska Cikana Community College
- Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish Community College
- Sitting Bull College
- Turtle Mountain Community College
- United Tribes Technical College
Organizational Scholarship
Opportunities
- National Science Foundation
- North Dakota Indian Scholarship
- North Dakota Science Teachers Association
- Scholarships for BIPOC Students Attending Trade Programs
- 45+ Scholarships for Minority Students
- 26 STEM Scholarships
- 17 Data Science Scholarships in 2022