In the year 1999, OPI [Montana Office of Public Instruction] brought together representatives from all the tribes in Montana and created 7 Essential Understandings. These are some of the major issues all tribes have in common. They form the basis for all of our curriculum efforts and initiatives. There is great diversity among the 12 tribal…

Questions about the usefulness of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 are raised in this paper, which emphasizes references to the federally recognized tribal governments of Montana. Part 1 presents an historical overview of the political status of American Indians, especially issues that have influenced federal and tribal attitudes toward Indian…