Department of Education Affirms: Native Education Programs Separate from DEI and CRT Initiatives

On April 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) sent a response letter to the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) clarifying its stance on Tribal histories and Native-serving funding and programs. The letter responds to the January 31, 2025, letter NIEA sent to former Acting Secretary Denise Carter regarding Executive Order 14190, and follows NIEA leadership’s meeting with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on April 23, 2025. The letter was signed by Hayley B. Sanon, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary  and Acting Assistant Secretary in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In its response, the Department affirmed its commitment to “returning education to States and Tribes” and made clear that “American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian history is not classified as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or critical race theory (CRT), and the Department will not treat Native history as DEI or CRT.” 

The Department further acknowledged the unique political and legal relationship between Tribal Nations and the United States, and confirmed that statutory grant programs serving Native students will continue: 

“The United States has a unique political and legal relationship with federally recognized Indian Tribes, as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, executive orders, and court decisions. We continue to deliver on all statutory grant programs that support American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students and are identifying ways to deliver support while reducing bureaucratic red tape and ensuring parental rights remain a national priority.”

The letter concludes by stating that the Department looks 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.”  

Jason Dropik, NIEA Executive Director, said of the letter:

“We are grateful to Secretary McMahon and Acting Assistant Secretary Hayley Sanon for their letter affirming what Native communities have long known—that Native history is not DEI or CRT, and that the Department’s programs and funding sources are essential components of the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to Native education. As the federal government considers restructuring its role in education, we recognize the significant concerns within our communities and among the schools that serve our children. Affirmative statements like this help ease those concerns and reaffirm the Department’s commitment to Tribal Nations, Tribal educators, and Native-serving Local Education Agencies. We look forward to welcoming the Department to Indian Country and to collaborating closely on future Tribal consultations.”

For more information or questions, please visit the National Indian Education Association website.