Federally recognized Tribes in Oregon are engaged in the revitalization, preservation, and transmission of their respective Tribal languages following generations of disruption caused by harmful state and federal policies, including the American Indian boarding school system.
Research and community experience demonstrate that heritage language learning-particularly when initiated in early childhood and sustained across the lifespan-supports oral language development, cultural identity formation, student wellbeing, and long-term educational engagement for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/ AN) students.
Supporting Tribal language education affirms Tribal sovereignty and advances culturally sustaining, community-defined approaches, in addition to supporting goal number one of the AI/AN SSP 2025-30 "Champion Tribal Languages". This aligns with ORS 329.843(2)(g) and (2)(h), which emphasize culturally responsive curricula and supports from early childhood through post-secondary education.
- support Tribal governments in designing, implementing, and sustaining Tribal language education programs grounded in Tribal sovereignty and educational self-determination;
- increase access to Tribal language instruction and learning opportunities across early learning, K-12, and community-based settings, as determined by each Tribe;
- support intergenerational language transmission through instruction, staffing, and community defined language activities;
- strengthen Tribal language program capacity through staffing, curriculum development, language resources, and community engagement;
- support, where desired by the Tribe, pathways for existing and emerging Tribal language speakers to become licensed American Indian language teachers; and
- document Tribal language education activities, participation, and services delivered using Tribal-defined indicators, participation counts, and community-appropriate measures.
Measurement and reporting under this Grant are intended to reflect the scope and reach of services delivered, rather than to evaluate performance against standardized or externally defined metrics.
This Grant aligns with the American Indian/ Alaska Native Student Success Plan (2025-2030), Goal #1: Culture, Identity, and Language, developed pursuant to ORS 329.843.
SECTION II. PROJECT ACTIVITIES/REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Grant Activities and Outcomes
The following project activities describe the scope of work that may be carried out by the Grantee during the Grant period. Project activities do not determine the amount or distribution of Grant Funds and are not required to occur in equal proportion. Activities may vary by Tribe, by year, and over time based on community priorities, staffing, and capacity.
Grantee shall, consistent with Tribal priorities and capacity:
- Allocate resources, including staffing or contracted support, to bolster Tribal language programs, facilitate language documentation efforts, and develop educational resources for language dissemination.
- Support, where desired by the Tribe, pathways for existing and emerging Tribal language speakers to become licensed American Indian language teachers, including development of local supports and training opportunities.
- As per Tribal preferences and availability, facilitate partnerships between Tribes and school districts or other education partners to integrate Tribal language learning opportunities across early learning, K-12, and community settings, with technical support provided by the Office of Indian Education as requested.
- Raise awareness of initiatives such as the Oregon State Seal of Biliteracy and M ultiliteracy Seal, emphasizing benefits and access for students and communities.
- Designate, to the extent of Tribal capacity and interest, a representative to participate in a Tribal Education Work Cluster (as convened) by the Oregon Department of Education through the Office of Indian Education. Participation is voluntary and does not create standing committee obligations.
Project activities constitute the contractual scope of work for this Grant. Fulfillment of the scope may be demonstrated through documentation of activities undertaken, services delivered, or resources produced, as appropriate to Tribal context. The Agency acknowledges that not all listed activities will be applicable to every Tribe or implemented simultaneously.
Anticipated Outcomes
Anticipated outcomes are Tribal-defined and may be demonstrated through documentation of activities and services provided, including numbers of students or participants served; frequency and duration of language instruction; instructional models implemented; staffing or contractor support provided; curriculum or language resources developed; and family or community language engagement activities. Outcomes may also be described through narrative reflection and community-defined indicators.
Tribal language education funded under this Grant is Tribal-defined and community-driven.
The Grantee retains authority to determine:
which language or languages are taught;
- who is qualified to teach;
- how instruction is delivered; and
- what outcomes or indicators of success are appropriate.
Tribes retain authority to define appropriate indicators of progress and success for Tribal language education activities funded under this Grant. Indicators may include participation counts, instructional frequency or duration, staffing or contractor support, services delivered, curriculum or language resources developed, and other community-defined measures aligned to Tribal goals.
The Agency provides funding, coordination, and technical assistance upon request and does not prescribe curriculum, pedagogy, instructional design, or definitions of proficiency or fluency.