During the next 16 months we will meet a total of six times. Last week we met to set our schedule and work plan for the time so that we may be efficient in finding ways to learn and improve policy for our communities.

Top issues the committee aims to tackle during the interim are:

- Reviewing the progress of the newly created Montana Indian Language Preservation Pilot Project, aimed at preserving native languages which are currently highly threatened. It will be our task to make sure that every penny of your money is spent efficiently and that results are delivered.

- Reviewing barriers and solutions to access to private capital and lending for tribal communities. Some tribes (including Crow) have started adopting standards similar to the Uniform Commercial Code to address these issues.

- Looking into next steps for creating credit transferability between tribal colleges and Montana Universities.