Dear Tribal Leader,

On September 24, 2025, from 2:30–5:30 p.m. ET, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) will conduct a consultation on Presidential Executive Order(s) related to public education since January 20, 2025. The purpose of this consultation will be to receive meaningful input from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to ensure that Tribal leaders’ views inform how the Department can comprehensively implement both the President’s orders while upholding federal trust and Treaty obligations. The Department remains committed to upholding the federal trust responsibility as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, executive orders, and court decisions. This consultation will be conducted by the Office of Indian Education (OIE) and facilitated by the Tribal Consultation Official for the Department.

Background

In general, an Executive Order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. The purpose of this consultation is to receive input from Tribal leaders on helping the Department identify flexibilities where possible under existing law (this includes Treaty obligations) to improve educational outcomes, address specific needs of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, and reduce duplicative functions across government to ensure Tribes are better served.

The following resources below can be used to help Tribal leaders prepare for the upcoming consultation:

• EO 14191: Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families (February 3, 2025)
• EO 14279: Reforming Accreditation To Strengthen Higher Education (April 28, 2025)
• EO 14242: Empowering Parents, States, and Communities (March 20, 2025)
• EO 14277: Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth (April 28, 2025)

Additional Executive Orders are available on the National Archives’ Federal Register Executive Order Index website.

Please follow the registration link to participate in the consultation. To maintain online security, each attendee must register individually, and registration cannot be transferred to or used by others. Once you have completed registration, an individualized access link for the session will be sent to you with additional information.

Written Comment Period

Written public comments for a topic will only be collected through the TribalConsultation@ed.gov email address. The comment period is now open and will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on 10/24/2025.

An Indian Tribe may designate information provided during the consultation as “sensitive” and request non-disclosure of the information to the public. Certain federal laws, including the Freedom of Information Act, may require disclosure of information designated sensitive by a Tribal government. Questions about this notice can be sent to TribalConsultation@ed.gov. This consultation is a closed press event.

Consultation Questions

The Department invites Tribal Leaders to provide input on the following questions, please refer to the EO number when providing comments.

1. How can the Department use its efforts to design, revise, provide waivers for, and otherwise administer Federal funding and support programs for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, to minimize burdens?
2. What general comments do you have regarding the Department’s implementation of an Executive Order?
3. What budgetary, statutory, regulatory, or other changes do you recommend for the Department to take steps toward upholding the U.S. Government’s Treaty obligations and Trust responsibilities?
4. How can the Department best understand unmet Treaty obligations and work to address such obligations with others in the Federal government?
5. Are there any specific accommodations that the Department should consider when addressing barriers that Tribal Nations face when applying for grants?

Thank you in advance for your input and participation – we look forward to visiting and consulting with Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and Native Hawaiian Organizations and their leadership to empower high-quality education for all students.