The Interior Department and the Education Department will hold consultation sessions in May and June to discuss a draft memorandum of understanding on Indian education.

The two departments plan to work together to improve the education of American Indian and Alaska Native students. The agreement affects Bureau of Indian Education schools, public schools and tribal colleges and universities.

“Education is key to the fabric of healthy communities,” Interior Secretary Salazar said in a press release. “But we need to do better when it comes to meeting the academic and cultural needs of our American Indian and Alaska Native students across the nation. These tribal consultations will be critical in developing the most effective framework to raise the bar for Indian Country education.”

"The strength of tribes and our nation's future prosperity are inextricably tied, and together we can dramatically improve the lives of our Native students," added Education Secretary Arne Duncan. "These consultations will be invaluable and will continue our efforts to listen to, and learn from, the tribal leaders who know these communities best."

The meetings take place May 18 in Lincoln, California; May 24 in Flagstaff, Arizona; May 31 in Bloomington, Minnesota; and June 5 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Press Release: Secretaries Salazar and Duncan Seek Tribal Consultations on Proposed Framework to Spur Educational Advancement in Indian Country (DOI 4/16)