MDE Indigenous Education Initiative Tribal Consultation Guidebook - Manual / Resource - Page 3
Aanii Boozhoo Educational Colleagues,
Welcome! We are excited to share this tribal consultation guidebook and
hope you find it helpful as you engage in your consultative relationship
with tribes. We understand the complexity associated with these
relationships and are here to provide support and guidance as you embark
upon and navigate within this space.
As your partners in this process, know that the relationship between the
Michigan Department of Education (MDE-IEI) and the Confederation
of Michigan Tribal Education Departments (CMTED) was intentionally
initiated in goodness and thoughtfulness with patience and persistence
practiced by both entities. To improve the education experience and
outcomes for Indigenous learners in Michigan, MDE-IEI and CMTED
embraced a relational approach to consultation from the start. Adopting
this Indigenous way of being and learning with one another is not new to
Indigenous communities; it is an evolution of working within and between
government-to-government systems.
A crucial component of consultative relationships is acknowledging, with critical consciousness, the
existence of Michigan’s Indigenous communities and embracing Indigenous-based knowledge systems.
Adopting an Indigenous framework of consultation demonstrates a commitment to co-existing in
relationship with tribes. As a result of embracing this approach, CMTED and MDE stand together in shared
responsibility to support Indigenous learners’ educational outcomes in Michigan.
CMTED and MDE-IEI invite Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and other partners in education to engage in
relationship with us to benefit our collective lifelong learning and continuous improvement in Michigan’s
school system. Like any other relationship, we must interact consistently and get to know each other over
time. We must approach each other with a growth mindset and anticipate many opportunities for learning
together.
It is with great care that CMTED and MDE-IEI created this guidebook. It is meant to be foundational
guidance for education partners to build trusting, reciprocal and long-lasting relationships with Tribal
Nations and Indigenous communities. These relationships and processes advance the success of
Indigenous learners and support the improvement of the school systems in which they learn so that all
students will benefit from experiencing greater diversity within their learning environment.
In solidarity and with an open invitation,
please do not hesitate to contact us:
MDE-Indigenized@michigan.gov
