Advocating With Our Youth. 

About Us

We are a community of stakeholders who are committed to promoting diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments for
future generations.

Join Us!

Coalition Priorities

The South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC) has identified the following 4 Priority Areas of current focus. The priority areas have been identified based on community needs, member initiatives, and current projects in South Dakota. We welcome parents/guardians, educators, practitioners, advocates and community members to join us in this work.

  1. Honor seven generations back and seven generations forward. 

  2. Elevate and promote the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. 

  3. Advocate for youth access to education based on language, culture, and ways of being. 

  4. Amplify and support treaty rights for students, families, and communities.

SDEEC Goals

  • Goal 1 - Build the will and create a pathway for Indian education to be included in the State Department of Education. 

  • Goal 2 - Identify and direct public funding for more schools rooted in Indigenous language and culture. 

  • Goal 3 - Educate and expose Indigenous students to civic leadership opportunities in local, state and tribal governments. 

  • Goal 4 - Create and implement a wellness policy for coalition staff to serve as a model for coalition partners.

Learn more about our history.

The South Dakota Education Equity Coalition was founded in 2019. It is led by Indigenous community members and advocates who are dedicated to amplifying the educational needs of Indigenous students. The coalition has won the unanimous support of all nine tribes in
the state.

The coalition includes Tribal Education Directors from several tribal communities in South Dakota, teachers, education directors from schools serving Indigenous students, teacher trainers, and parents. The coalition meets quarterly to share information, participate in trainings, discuss progress toward its existing goals, prepare for tribal consultation meetings, and to prepare public testimony for state commissions and boards. 

What they are saying about SDEEC:

 

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