A Guidebook Facilitates Cooperation Between Tribes and Local Education Agencies in Michigan
Indigenous Education Initiative (IEI)
Tribal Consultation Guidebook
CLIENT
Indigenous Education Initiative (IEI)
SERVICES
publication, print management, document layout
Guiding the Consultation Process
The Indigenous Education Initiative (IEI) identifies and addresses educational issues and shared priorities between local tribes and the state of Michigan. Among many IEI program focuses, one is to build meaningful relationships with various Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to improve the educational experience and outcomes for Indigenous learners in Michigan. They needed a formal guide to support educators and administrators as they cycle through seasons of tribal Consultation.
A Resource that Opens Respectful Dialogue
To better facilitate Consultation between LEAs and the tribes that share geography with Michigan, IEI needed to develop a desk reference for those seeking guidance on respectful consultative relationships. IEI also wanted a visualization of the consultation process in the form of an infographic.
Our Process
Members of the IEI team wrote and edited the content of the guidebook. WCA handled the layout design of a 14-page 8.5 x 11” booklet and the creation of an additional infographic poster that visualizes the consultation process. Once the team at IEI approved the document layout, WCA managed the order with a commercial printer.
About the Resource
This guidebook now serves as a foundation in the building of trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting consultative relationships between Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, and educational partners in Michigan. It is ADA-compliant and easy to share with LEAs both digitally and in print. The print version includes a vertical 6 x 9” envelope fixed to the inside back cover that contains an 11 x 17” fold-out of the consultation process infographic. The printed version also includes QR codes throughout to ease access to resources linked in the digital version.
The guidebook was rapidly distributed, and requests for additional copies quickly necessitated a reprint. It was so useful that version two of the guidebook will be published in 2025.
