Columbia Falls v. State of Montana

FYI: Indian education is due to be discussed on Tuesday, January 27 in Judge Sherlock's court [228 E. Broadway, Helena]. Carol Juneau and Joyce Silverthorne will be testifying in support of the plaintiffs.

The most recent school funding suit is underway in Helena, Montana. A coalition of schools and parents has sued the State of Montana for not adequately funding a free, quality education for Montana’s students. The Plaintiffs assert that the state’s funding levels to schools have continually decreased, thereby violating the Montana Constitutional provision of providing a free, quality public education. The Plaintiffs included the Indian education clause from Montana’s Constitution in their action – outlining that there is a special obligation to provide Indian education for ALL Montana students as well as an obligation to provide quality education to Montana’s Indian students.

The Montana Indian Education Association, along with all of Montana’s tribal nations, and many other distinguished educational entities have submitted an amicus brief to the court in support of the Plaintiffs’ contention that Indian education must be adequately funded.

MIEA believes that if the judge rules positively, it will open a whole new era for Montana Indian education. For many years, scores of people across the state have advocated for Indian education. This is the first time the constitutional obligation to provide Indian education has been litigated. It would be great if supporters of Indian education would once again unite in Helena to support the litigation of the Indian education clause in the Montana Constitution and show that Indian educators and supporters have shown up at every juncture and given support to every effort the state has made - and still we wait for the promises to be met.

The Indian education brief is in direct contrast to the state's argument that more funding is not necessary because Montana kids do well on all aspects of educational indicators. The brief shows this may be true for the non-Indian population as a group, but that the data concerning Indian students in public schools has been consistently ignored - that there have been thousands of efforts to improve the public education system for Indian students - but that the state continues to neglect its constitutional obligation to provide a quality education to ALL students.

Also a reminder that this effort will take money - MIEA believes this is a very important effort to bring Indian education to the forefront and continue the fight for the future of Indian - and indeed, ALL Montana kids in our education system. However, lawsuits do not come cheap - the MIEA would like to ask for your financial support - as well as your moral support.

If you are interested in contributing - please contact:

Carol Juneau, MIEA Chairperson
(406) 338-5689
[email protected]

The MIEA does extend a big thank you to The Blackfeet Nation, the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Nations of Fort Belknap, the Montana Association of Bilingual Education (MABE), and the individuals who have all contributed financially to this cause.

Hope to see you Tuesday in court!

Denise Juneau,
MIEA College Student Representative