Forest Lake Indian Education Program

The Forest Lake American Indian Education Program is designed to assist American Indian students in graduating from high school with a quality education and positive cultural identity. Funding for this program is provided through Title VI of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and the State of Minnesota Indian Education funding through the Minnesota Department of Education.

Indian Education programs grow out of the special trust relationship that exists between the U.S. government and American Indian tribes secured in treaties between the two nations. In administering this trust, federal agencies are responsible for preserving, protecting, and guaranteeing Indian rights and property. Many treaties contained educational provisions. All federal programs for American Indians share two purposes: they fulfill specific treaty provisions and they fulfill a general commitment to the Indian tribes to improve their social, educational, and economic conditions.  

Post-Secondary Resources

2019-2020 Native American Scholarship Database

National Indian Education Association - Scholarships

Good resources from Minneapolis Indian Education Program:

MN Office of Higher Education: Minnesota Indian Scholarship

Program Funding

The Forest Lake Indian Education Program is funded through Title VI of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. In order to apply for these funds, the district needs to document the number of American Indian students enrolled in Forest Lake Area Schools. This is done through the Title VI Student Eligibility Certification (506) form (link below). Parents/guardians of American Indian students who are members of a tribe or band or who are descendents of a parent or grandparent who are members of a tribe or band, are asked to consider completing this form. A completed form makes students eligible to receive services that the Title VI federal funding will provide. Completed forms should be returned to your child’s school or directly to:

Rita Hageman, Information Systems
Forest Lake Area Schools
District Office
6100 North 210th Street
Forest Lake, MN 55025

Title VI Student Eligibility Certification (506) Form

American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

The American Indian Education Program includes a Parent Committee which is made up of parents of American Indian students in the district, American Indian secondary students, staff and community members. We have monthly family nights to celebrate our community's strength, discuss issues relevant to American Indian students today and plan for the future!

We welcome new faces and encourage collaboration to help create a thriving community so we can help support our native children for generations to come!   Please join us anytime. All PAC meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6:30-7:30pm (6pm social circle). All meetings/events are currently held via Zoom and eventually in person at the Central Learning Center (CLC), 200 SW 4th Street, Forest Lake, MN from 6-7:30 p.m. To receive meeting emails or the zoom link to attend meetings, please contact Rachel Peterson.

Indian Education PAC Meetings & Upcoming Events for 2021

Tues. Feb 9th, PAC mtg

Friday, Feb 26th, 6:30 pm Family Fun Night ~ Making Fry Bread

Tues. March 9th, PAC mtg

Friday, March 26th, 6:30 pm Family Fun Night ~ TBD (Crafts or Bingo)

Tues. April 13th, PAC mtg

Friday, April 30th, 6:30 pm Family Fun Night ~ TBD (Crafts or Bingo)

Tues. May 11th, PAC mtg

Tues. June 8th, PAC mtg

Summer break ~ Fall dates TBD

American Indian Education Program Contacts

Indian Education Program Coordinator & Student Advisor, Chris Johnson, 651-587-8557 (text/voice) District Voicemal: 651-982-8136

AIPAC Chair, Rebecca Wolf

Carolyn Car Latady, District Liaison, 651-982-8350

Brad Ward, District Liaison, 651-982-8327