Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Education Program (IKEEP)
Established in 2016, the Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Education Program (IKEEP) prepares and certifies educators to meet the unique needs of Native American students in K–12 schools. IKEEP scholars learn within a cohort model committed to context-rich innovation and excellence in Indigenous education.
Today, IKEEP has a wraparound service model, IKEEP Pathways, which mentors and supports high school students, pre-service teachers, in-service teachers and education leaders dedicated to healthy education outcomes for Indigenous youth.
Indigenous educator framework
Through IKEEP Pathways, the program offers:
- Dual credit courses for high school students
- A cohort of IKEEP underclassmen apprentices
- A cohort of teacher education scholars
- A cohort of educational leaders pursuing principalship
- Professional development systems for educators statewide and beyond
The IKEEP model is built on collaboration with Tribal Nations and communities, with a focus on sovereign-affirming education outcomes.
Our model builds on more than 50 years of research which shows Native American and Alaska Native students achieve greater success when their cultures, languages and community values are seen as assets in classroom learning.
Supported by partnerships with University of Idaho’s MOU Tribes, IKEEP recruits, mentors and places educators in schools serving high populations of Native American students.
Idaho’s MOU Tribes include the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Kootenai Tribe, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and Spokane Tribe of Indians. IKEEP also welcomes scholars from additional Tribal communities.
Consortium Tribal Partnerships
The Nez Perce and Coeur d’Alene Tribes partner with IKEEP to strengthen recruitment of scholars across all IKEEP pathways. Together, they offer specialized professional development through regional Indigenous education summits and provide induction support for newly placed teachers and administrators.
Consortium Tribes also collaborate with IKEEP to offer professional development workshops for faculty and K–12 educators in regional school districts and higher education institutions.
Pathway 2 applications
Participate in IKEEP Apprenticeships.
Pathway 3 applications
Participate in the IKEEP Pre-Service Teacher Cohort
IKEEP Pathways
With support from the U.S. Department of Education, the Idaho Workforce Development Council, the Officer of the State Board of Education, and philanthropic donations, IKEEP has launched IKEEP Pathways — a long-term vision to close gaps in the education system that underserves Indigenous students. Pathways offer a wraparound approach to systems change that:
- Introduces high school students to Indigenous education
- Provides apprenticeships for undergraduate students
- Prepares teachers through a cohort-based model
- Develops Indigenous leaders for principal certification
- Offers professional development for K–12 educators
Each pathway is grounded in sovereign-affirming, culturally responsive practices that strengthen learning and community wellness in schools serving Native children and youth.
Pathway 1: Indigenous education for high school students
IKEEP for Young People introduces high school students to Indigenous education through dual credit courses, mentorship from Indigenous educators, and hands-on, land-based learning experiences focused on land, place and community.
Courses are offered at:
- Moscow High School, Moscow School District
- Lakeside High School, Plummer-Worley School District
- Lapwai High School, Lapwai School District
- Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School, Shoshone-Bannock School District
- Owyhee Combined School, Elko County School District
Pathway 2: IKEEP apprenticeships - APPLY NOW
Undergraduate students from four Idaho colleges and universities can participate in IKEEP Apprenticeships. Apprentices attend semester summits, engage in regional Indian Education conferences, and receive stipends to support their participation.
Pathway 3: IKEEP Pre-Service Teacher Cohort - APPLY NOW
The IKEEP Pre-Service Teacher Cohort builds strong professional learning communities for future teachers. This pathway strengthens sovereign-affirming, culturally grounded education practices for serving Indigenous students and their communities.
Pathway 4: IKEEP Education Leadership Cohort
The IKEEP Education Leadership Cohort prepares educators for principal certification. These leaders will nurture and sustain school ecosystems that serve Tribal communities across Idaho.
Pathway 5: Professional development for educators
IKEEP offers professional development workshops, both online and in person, for Idaho schools seeking to improve instruction, pedagogy, and culturally responsive practices that support Indigenous students and honor Tribal sovereignty.
Contact us at ikeep@uidaho.edu if you have a workshop need in mind.
Our commitment
IKEEP is dedicated to building and sustaining respectful, reciprocal and responsible relationships with Indigenous scholars and Tribal Nations. Through education, research and professional development, IKEEP advances the nation-building goals of University of Idaho’s MOU Tribes and supports Tribal sovereignty across the region.
Outreach
Meet our people
EHHS staff
Vanessa Anthony-Stevens
Yolanda Bisbee
Raymond A. Dixon
Angela Jacobson
Juhee Kim
David Smith
Elizabeth Wargo
Advisory Board members
IKEEP maintains a general advisory committee and an educational leadership advisory committee to ensure regional stakeholders and partners are involved in program design and implementation.
General Advisory Board
- David Aiken, Superintendent, Lapwai School District
- Jason Cummins, Assistant Professor, Montana State University, Crow Agency School
- Janine Darragh, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Idaho
- Johanna Jones, Engaged Citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Indigenous education consultant, American Institutes of Research
- Joyce McFarland, Nez Perce Education Manager, Nez Perce Tribe
- Christine Meyer, Director, Coeur d’Alene Tribe Department of Education
- Brant Miller, Associate Professor of Science Education, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Idaho
- Taylor Raney, Director of Teacher Education, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Idaho
- Philip Stevens, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Director of American Indian Studies, University of Idaho
- Zoe Higheagle Strong, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, Washington State University
- Patsy Whitefoot, Chair of Indian Education Committee, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI)
Education Leader Advisory Committee
- Jason Cummins, Assistant Professor, Montana State University
- D’Lisa Penney, Principal, Lapwai Middle-High School
- Alex Red Corn, Director and Associate Professor, Indigenous Education Studies, Kansas University