American Indian Education
Biindigen - Taŋyáŋ Yahípi - Welcome
Stillwater Area Schools are built on the traditional lands of the Wahpekute Dakota people - land that has also provided spiritual and physical meaning for Ojibwe, Ho Chunk, Winnebago and other Native communities. We acknowledge and honor Indigenous people, their descendants, and the land we live, learn and grow on.
-written by the Native American Student Alliance
The goal of the American Indian Education program at Stillwater Area Schools is to strengthen the academic success, cultural identity, and sense of belonging of American Indian students by providing culturally responsive educational experiences, meaningful opportunities for cultural connection, and coordinated support in partnership with students, families, Tribal communities, and the broader school community.
You are the one your ancestors were praying for and waiting for through the generations.
-Anton Treuer
- American Indian Parent Advisory Committee
- Student Eligibility Forms
- Student Resources
- Staff Resources
- Events
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee
American Indian Parent Advisory committee (AIPAC)
The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) is a group of American Indian parents, families, community members, and school staff who work together to support the success, well-being, and cultural identity of American Indian students.
The committee provides a voice for American Indian families and helps ensure that their perspectives, experiences, and priorities are represented in our school community. AIPAC members advise the district on programs, services, and initiatives that support American Indian students and strengthen connections between families, schools, and tribal communities.
What does AIPAC do?
AIPAC members:
- Advocate for American Indian students and families and help identify opportunities to improve educational experiences and outcomes.
- Provide guidance and recommendations to the school district on American Indian education programs, services, and priorities.
- Support cultural connection and identity by helping promote opportunities for students and families to learn about and celebrate American Indian cultures, histories, languages, and traditions.
- Strengthen family and community partnerships by creating meaningful connections among families, schools, tribal communities, and local organizations.
- Share family perspectives and concerns so that the district can better understand and respond to the needs of American Indian students.
- Support student success by encouraging academic achievement, engagement, belonging, and opportunities for students to see themselves and their cultures reflected in school.
- Build community by bringing families together through meetings, cultural activities, events, and other opportunities for connection.
Interested in getting involved?
Complete our AIPAC interest form below to let us know you'd like to learn more or participate. You can also reach out directly with questions or to connect.
Student Eligibility Forms
Federal Title VI Indian Education
Title VI Indian Education Program
The Title VI ED 506 Form helps our district identify American Indian students who may be eligible to participate in programs and services supported through the federal Title VI Indian Education Program.
Completing this form helps ensure that eligible students and families are connected with available supports and services. It also helps our district meet federal reporting requirements and advocate for resources that support the educational success and cultural well-being of American Indian students.
Who May Be Eligible?
A student may be eligible for the Title VI Indian Education Program if they meet the federal definition of an American Indian or Alaska Native student.
Generally, a student may qualify if they are:
- A member of a federally recognized or state-recognized Indian tribe or band
- A descendant of a parent or grandparent who is a member of an eligible tribe or band
Not Sure If Your Student Qualifies?
If you are unsure whether your student meets the eligibility requirements, please reach out to us. We are happy to answer questions and help you understand the form and documentation requirements.
Complete the Title VI ED 506 Form
How to Submit the Form
Once completed, the ED 506 form can be:
Emailed:
aie@stillwaterschools.org
Send the completed form to Stillwater Area Public Schools: AIE 6355 Osman Ave North
Stillwater, MN 55082 Dropped off:
You may also return the completed form to your child's school building, for delivery to AIE.
Questions or need assistance? Contact the American Indian Education Program at vosst@stillwaterschools.org
MDE American Indian Education Aid
MDE American Indian Education Aid
Accurate ethnic and racial demographic information helps Stillwater Area Public Schools better understand and support the students and families we serve.
For American Indian students, accurate identification is particularly important. Minnesota uses the state American Indian student count reported by school districts to determine eligibility for American Indian Education Aid (AIEA). AIEA supports opportunities designed to promote academic success, cultural identity, belonging, and meaningful educational experiences for American Indian students. The funding is intended to provide supplemental support specifically for American Indian education programs and the students they serve.
Why Your Information Matters
Updating your student's ethnic and racial demographic information helps us:
- Accurately identify American Indian students in our district.
- Ensure students and families can be connected with American Indian Education programs and opportunities for which they may be eligible.
- Strengthen culturally responsive academic and cultural programming.
- Better understand the needs and experiences of our American Indian students and families.
- Accurately report our American Indian student count to the Minnesota Department of Education.
How to Update Your Information
If your student's ethnic and racial demographic information is missing, incorrect, or needs to be updated, please complete the
Ethnic and Racial demographic form
Once completed, the form can be:
Emailed:
aie@stillwaterschools.org
Send the completed form to Stillwater Area Public Schools: AIE 6355 Osman Ave North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Dropped off:
You may also return the completed form to your child's school building for delivery to AIE.
Questions or need assistance? Contact the American Indian Education Program at vosst@stillwaterschools.org
Student Resources
Supports
- Family events
- Culturally specific activities for students and families
- Checking and connecting with students
- Access to supportive relationships
- IEP support
- Youth development activities
- Life skills guidance
- Postsecondary preparation
- Community gatherings
- Out-of-school programming
- Culturally relevant professional development
- Classroom resource support
If you have a student in need of supports please fill out the REQUEST FORM or contact Tara Voss at vosst@stillwaterschools.org
Higher Education
Scholarships & Assistance
Tribal Colleges & Universities
Staff Resources
Minnesota Indigenous Education For All
Indigenous Education For All (IEFA) integrates Anishinaabe and Dakota cultural, historical, and contemporary contributions into Minnesota’s K-12 curriculum. This initiative ensures students and educators learn about local Indigenous communities, meeting academic standards and addressing educational gaps. IEFA aims to reclaim Indigenous narratives, covering Tribal histories, languages, sovereignty, cultures, treaty rights, governance, socioeconomic experiences, and contemporary experiences of Tribal Nations within Minnesota.
Essential Understandings
For years, Minnesota educators have lacked a single reliable source for teaching accurate Native American history and culture. Minnesota Native American Essential Understandings for Educators fills that gap, distilling complex history into seven core understandings—covering Dakota and Ojibwe identity and culture, land and treaty rights, tribal sovereignty, historical trauma and ongoing disparities, and contemporary contributions to Minnesota life. Directed by Ramona Kitto Stately (Santee Dakota Nation) and reviewed by Native scholars and educators including Anton Treuer, Angelique EagleWoman, and Tadd Johnson, the publication addresses a need identified in the 2022 Restoring Our Place report: the absence of a trustworthy foundation for educators before they teach Native topics. Educators, curriculum developers, and community members will find concise, well-organized content designed to reduce the fear of “getting it wrong” and to establish a shared, accurate baseline for relating to Minnesota’s Dakota, Ojibwe, and other Indigenous communities.
Why Treaties Matter
Explore educator resources designed to support teaching and learning about treaties and their ongoing importance. The guides include background information, student readings and activities, vocabulary, and additional resources to help educators explore the history, meaning, and contemporary relevance of treaties between Tribal Nations and the United States.
Anton Treuer Educational Resources
Explore a collection of free educational resources from Anton Treuer, including teaching tools, classroom materials, language resources, recommended reading, and videos. These resources support learning about Indigenous history, culture, language, and lived experience and can be used for classroom instruction, professional development, and community education.
A Guide to Reliable Native American-Related Teaching Resources
Explore a curated guide featuring 550 recommended teaching resources related to Native American history, culture, and contemporary life. Organized as a classified bibliography and aligned with current state English Language Arts standards, the guide helps educators identify reliable, classroom-appropriate resources for teaching about Native peoples and perspectives.
Explore A Guide to Reliable Native American-Related Teaching Resources
American Indians in Children’s Literature
Explore American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL), a resource that provides reviews and recommendations of books and other media featuring Native American peoples and cultures. AICL helps educators, librarians, families, and students identify authentic, accurate, and respectful representations of Native peoples in children’s and young adult literature.
Minnesota Department of Education: Indigenous Peoples Day
Explore Minnesota Department of Education resources supporting the observance of Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota schools. Under Minnesota Statutes § 120A.42, at least one hour of the school program must be devoted to observing Indigenous Peoples Day, with opportunities to learn about topics including treaties, federal boarding schools, Indigenous languages, Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous contributions, and current issues affecting Indigenous communities.
We Are Still Here Minnesota
Explore We Are Still Here Minnesota, a Native-led initiative dedicated to challenging inaccurate narratives and increasing understanding of contemporary Native peoples, communities, and Tribal Nations. Its resources support educators in bringing accurate, authentic, and current Native perspectives into K–12 learning and helping students understand that Native peoples are present, thriving, and an important part of Minnesota today.