State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Montana Constitution Convention
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Montana Constitution Convention on March 15, 2022, by highlighting Indian Education for All. This celebration will be held at the fan window in the Capitol from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Article X in the Montana Constitution says, “the state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.” Indian Education for All was further codified in Montana code during the 1999 legislative session making Montana a national leader in supporting and preserving Native American history, culture, and language in the classroom.
“Honoring our first Montanans through our public education system was the largest impact of the new Montana Constitution 50 years ago,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “The future was secured through new social studies standards that were revitalized when 100 Montanans aided in ensuring Indian Education be taught to our over 160,000 students.”
Recent advancements that the Office of Public Instruction has made in Indian Education for All include:
- Developing a centralized hub that improves access to Native culture and language for our Montana students
- Administration of the Montana Indian Language Program (MILP) and the Indian Language Immersion Program (ILIP)
- Beginning language immersion classes in Browning and Crow Agency
- Working towards making the American Indian Language and Culture Specialist License a lifetime license
In 1970, 65% of Montanans voted to hold a constitutional convention. From January 17 to March 24, 1972, 100 elected delegates from 23 districts, including 19 women, met in Helena. The delegates were comprised of:
- 58 Democrats
- 36 Republicans
- 6 Independents
The new Montana constitution was ratified by 50.55% of Montana voters on June 6, 1972.
For more information on the Constitutional Convention celebration, please contact Tara Boulanger at tara.boulanger@mt.gov or (406) 444-2082.
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