U.S. Departments of Education, Interior, and Labor Host Tribal Consultation on Indian Education Partnership
- GAB NEWS
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Yesterday, the U.S. Departments of Education, Interior, and Labor hosted a consultation with elected Tribal leadership in Washington, D.C to listen, learn, and strengthen the critical partnership between the Federal government and Tribal nations. Over 1,000 American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian leaders participated in the consultation – the largest of its kind – to ask questions and provide feedback about the Department of Education’s Indian Education Partnership.
The public comment period is now open through 11:59 p.m. ET on March 12, 2026. The Department looks forward to thoughtfully responding to questions and feedback.
“This partnership is not just a policy: it is a promise rooted in trust, treaty obligations, and our shared responsibility to ensure that every Native American student has access to high-quality education and the opportunities that follow,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The insights gained will shape the path forward as we implement our partnerships to help ensure Tribal schools and training programs can focus on serving students instead of complying with burdensome bureaucratic regulations. Together, we are building a system that reflects the values and aspirations of the communities it serves, while ensuring the funding for these critical programs continues.”
“Improving educational outcomes for our tribal communities is paramount to the future of our country,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “As the Department of the Interior assumes administration for Indian education programs, in coordination with the Department of Education, we are actively prioritizing the advancement of Indian education to ensure tribal communities are set up for long-term success. This crucial work, in direct alignment with President Donald J. Trump's priorities on educational choice and economic freedom, will deliver stronger schools, greater opportunity, and real pathways to success for Native students and their communities.”
“The Department of Labor is proud to partner with Secretary McMahon and the Department of Education to engage Tribal leaders and strengthen the government-to-government relationship as we align education with workforce opportunity,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Under President Trump’s bold leadership, we are working to empower Tribal nations with greater flexibility, expand apprenticeship and career pathways, and ensure Native youth and adults have the skills to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow.”
On November 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced deepening partnerships with DOI and DOL. These partnerships will be governed by Interagency Agreements (IAAs) through which ED will procure services from DOI and DOL for certain covered programs. DOI and DOL will provide services, technical assistance, and support for the integration of Native-serving programs. Per the IAA, DOI will take on a greater role in supporting administration of Indian Education programs relating to elementary and secondary education, higher education, career and technical education, and vocational rehabilitation. DOL will take on a growing role in ensuring applicable fiscal appropriation set-asides for Tribes result in supporting programs that boost literacy rates, strengthen employable skills, and connect Native youth and adults to meaningful workforce pathways. ED will maintain all statutory and policymaking authorities governing covered programs.
Per ED’s Tribal Consultation Policy, “In the operation of its programs, ED will consult with tribes and seriously consider tribal views, information, and interests, taking into account the resource and time constraints for conducting agency business. ED will also make a serious effort to incorporate those views, information, and interests in ED’s programs whenever new initiatives or program changes would have a substantial direct effect on Indian educational opportunities under those programs.”
This consultation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education and included senior Department officials with authority to act on recommendations from Tribal leaders.
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