This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is part of a new short monthly series where Mason Pashia is joined by Dr. Jason Cummins, a previous guest and a friend of the podcast, to speak with indigenous leaders and academics to discuss how indigenous ways of knowing and leading can, and should, shape the education system.  

In this episode, they are joined by Julian Guerrero Jr., the current Director of the Office of Indian Education (OIE) at the U.S. Department of Education. Together, they discuss the extensive range of grant programs managed by the OIE, which support everything from Native American language immersion programs to college and career readiness initiatives. Guerrero emphasizes the importance of these programs in enhancing educational opportunities for Native students across the U.S., highlighting that a significant majority of Native American students attend public schools outside of reservation systems. 

Links: 

• LinkedIn
• Office of Indian Education
• Indigenous Youth Career Exploration
• Oklahoma State University - Treaties link
• PUEDE Network
• The Society of American Indian Government Employees