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Tribal Relations
Tribal Relations
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is committed to ensuring access to educational opportunities for all Native students.
Our goal is to strengthen the resources that support Native students and their families throughout their educational journeys, fostering meaningful, long-term success. Michigan shares geography with 12 federally recognized Tribal nations. Each is a sovereign government with the inherent right to self-governance and self-determination.
This page is designed to meet the unique needs of Tribal communities and Native learners. We also honor the educators, advisors and community partners who walk alongside Native students.
For those seeking Tribal and Indigenous resources, this page offers guidance, practical tools and deeper understanding to better serve Native students and families,
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Consultation Policy - In Progress
Check back soon.
Grants and Funding Opportunities
Check back soon for upcoming grants and funding opportunities.
Resources for Families
Tribal Head Start programs
Head Start programs provide free learning and development services to children ages birth to 5 from families identified as low income. Early Head Start and Head Start welcome children with disabilities.
Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver
The Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver is a program enacted by Public Act 174 of 1976, which waives the tuition costs for eligible Native Americans in public community colleges or universities within Michigan.
Resources for Providers and Educators
Native American Resource Guide
This guide includes helpful information about federally recognized Tribes that share geography with Michigan, state historic Tribes, state and federal contacts, Tribal organizations and services, and educational, environmental, legal, cultural and other resources.
Making It Work: Implementing Cultural Learning Experiences in American Indian and Alaska Native Early Learning Settings for Children Ages Birth to 5
Making It Work supports early education staff in teaching American Indian and Alaska Native children about their traditional culture, including skills, values, beliefs and ways of life.
Maawndoonganan Anishinaabe Resource Manual
The Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Departments created Maawndoonganan: Anishinaabe Resource Manual to accompany the State of Michigan Social Studies Standards. This library guide highlights the books, websites, podcasts, articles, and films listed in the Resource Manual.
New Eligibility Provisions for American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Programs
Review the updated rules in Section 238 of the 2024 federal budget law that affect who qualifies for Region XI American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Head Start programs.
Native American Heritage Fund
The purpose of the NAHF is to provide resources to improve curricula and educational resources related to Michigan Indian history, as well as to fund initiatives that promote mutual respect and cooperation between local communities and Michigan’s federally recognized Tribes.
Indigenous Education Initiative
This partnership between the Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Departments and the Indigenous Education Initiative brings together people of all ages - teachers, leaders, artists and advocates - to support Indigenous education in Michigan.