American Indian Educators and Pathways to Licensure

There are multiple pathways to licensure for American Indian educators. Please use this webpage for more information and resources.

Licenses
Licensure Programs
Resources
Training

Licenses

American Indian Language, History, and Culture License

The American Indian Language, History, and Culture License is unique from other teaching licenses in Minnesota. In order to receive this license, the teacher must obtain a resolution or letter of support from a Tribal Nation. This license is issued as either a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license.

As of January 1, 2024, PELSB offers the following licenses:
1. Dakota Language
2. Dakota History and Culture
3. Ojibwe Language
4. Ojibwe History and Culture
5. American Indian Language
6. American Indian History, and Culture
How to obtain AILHC License

To obtain this license, an applicant must submit the following:
- An application
- A resolution or letter of support from a Tribal Nation
- A background check
Licensure Programs
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College's offers a licensure program in Elementary Education (baccalaureate)
- The University of Minnesota offers a licensure program in World Languages and Culture: Ojibwe Language (baccalaureate). Note: This is a distinct license from the American Indian Language, History, and Culture license.
Resources

Financial supports:
- Scholarship and Grant programs to support post-secondary education opportunities
- Minnesota Indian Teacher Training Program
Institutional supports:
- Office of American Indian Education
- Tribal Nations Education Committee (TNEC)
Training

The Office of American Indian Education is working with the Tribal Sovereignty Institute at the University of Minnesota Duluth to develop an eLearning series for educators focusing on Indigenous-oriented education. The goal of these eLearning courses is to better equip K-12 educators, staff, and administrators to serve Native learners and families. These courses will allow participants to cultivate knowledge about Native people and nations that they can use when teaching and for engaging with Tribal governments.

Key Concepts and Terms

The first eLearning course from the Office of American Indian Education on Key Concepts and Terms for Indigenous-oriented education is now available. Educators who complete this course can earn one continuing education unit (CEU) credit. The course is endorsed by PELSB to count toward the cultural competency license renewal condition. Self-register for the course on Canvas at Enroll in MDE Key Concepts and Terms or sign-up through an existing Canvas account with the join code YBTYR9.

Federal Indian Policy

The second eLearning course on Federal Indian Policy is available at https://mndepted.instructure.com/register using code 4JR34P. Educators who complete this course can earn one continuing education unit (CEU) credit.