Title VI is a Native American/Alaskan Native education program designed to support the following goals:

• Ensure academic success for indigenous students with an emphasis on high school, graduation, and post-secondary placement opportunities
• promote Native American culture and cultural awareness in all FFC8 schools, primarily to Native students and secondarily to all other students

There are over 27 tribes represented in FFC8. The uniqueness of our students opens opportunities for many tribes to connect and share their knowledge and experience.

It is an academic and cultural program that supports growth for students both in the classroom and the community.

According to federal law, the Title VI grant which funds FFC8 Title VI program requires the development of program goals and services to be developed with the input of an Indian parent committee. District 8 is very grateful to be supported by an active, invested parent committee. Our parent committee approves grant programs and services, attends functions, and offers important feedback on the development of Title VI education.

If you are interested in assisting our Indian Parent Committee, please contact Mary Brennan at (719) 382-1300 or mbrennan@ffc8.org

Title VI provides regular, culturally-responsive mentoring to Native American high school students. School coordinators monitor student grades and credit status as well as providing encouragement, communication and advocacy with schools. Our coordinators work to ensure Native students inl FFC8 are connected with culturally-relevant field trips and resources as well as the services provided by schools for student success. They also work to ensure that Native students are on track to graduate and planning for post-secondary opportunities. On an individual basis by school request, Title VI coordinators also work in middle and elementary schools to provide support for students.

Every school year, Title VI sponsors the following events:

1. Native Winter Gathering Dinner and Cultural Present (Storyteller, etc.)
2. Native Spring Gathering Dinner and Native Family Craft 
3. High School Field Trip to College
4. Middle School Title VI Team  (Native Presenters, Native Texts, Native Crafts and Traditions)
5. Elementary Clubs (Native History, Learning Activities, Ways of Knowing)

For information on specific dates and plans, please contact your child’s school.

It is very important to honor the contributions of indigenous peoples to American history and education, and this is particularly appropriate during November, which is Native American Heritage Month. Given the sensitivity of historical matters involving tribes, please consider the following guidelines recommended by USBE Native leaders:

• Avoid having non-Native students dress in Native regalia or costumes
• Utilize authentic Native sources to interpret/portray Native historical experiences
• Consult with individual tribes on how they wish their people to be represented
• Consult with your school or district media specialist regarding Native texts, songs, and materials appropriate for your grade level
• Consider contacting the families of Native American students in your school to provide them the opportunity to teacher or present on their culture as it relates to your curriculum
• Each year, FFC8 Title VI provides new Native texts and resources to a different grade level or subject area as we are able to find appropriate materials. Consult with your grade level or department head team leads to find out what recent materials have been provided to your school.

Title VI Grant funds are determined by the number of Native students who register as a member of a federally recognized tribe. Therefore, the Title VI Native American program can only exist with due diligence in student identification and patron support.

According to federal law, Native American students self-identify during registration. When a student in FFC8 indicates they are of indigenous descent, their electronic registration provides the option to fill out the federal 506 form, which indicates membership in a federally recognized tribe. In order to be valid, the 506 form must include a tribal identification number or other evidence of membership in a federal recognized tribe as determined by the tribe itself. These 506 forms are kept private and secure, provided only in the event of federal audit. FFC8 is grateful to our Native American patrons for providing the documentation that allows us to provide Native education services to our students.

ED506 Eligibility form