The Education Department promotes the prosperity of the Nez Perce people through education and career pathways to self-sufficiency.
Administration
Oversee the education department of the Nez Perce Tribe in order to increase education and employment opportunities for Nez Perce tribal members. Program services range from infant to adult age groups. Education Programs include Adult Education, Higher Education, Mamáy’asnim Hitéemenwees, Mentoring, State Tribal Education Partnership, Students for Success, and Vocational Rehabilitation.
Contact: Joyce McFarland
208-621-4610 | joycem@nezperce.org
Career Center
The Career Center provides an array of education, training and employment services to youth and adults which includes partnership with education providers, ABE/GED, scholarship assistance for career technical education, short term workforce training and development.
Contact: Kay Seven
208-621-4604 | kseven@nezperce.org
Mamáy’asnim Hitéemenwees -Early Childhood Development
Mamáy’asnim Hitéemenwees supports parents and their children, ages 5 and younger, in receiving high-quality early education.
- Check out our website HERE
- Online Fillable Applications
Contact: Jenny Oatman
208-621-3791 | jennyo@nezperce.org
- Kamiah: 208-935-2888
State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP)
The Nez Perce State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) program provides capacity building and technical assistance support to the Kamiah and Lapwai School Districts on meeting the unique educational and cultural needs of Native American students to improve their academic, cognitive, identity, and social emotional development. The STEP program’s strategic framework promotes culturally-responsive curriculum, instruction, family engagement, leadership, and school environment strategies. Emphasis on building upon Nez Perce knowledge on effective ways to engage and motivate children to learn and prepare for their current and future responsibilities with their family and community.
Contact: Joyce McFarland
208-621-4610 | joycem@nezperce.org
Students for Success Program
The Students for Success Program promotes student health and achievement by working to prevent substance misuse, chronic disease, and suicide prevention.
Students For Success Feature (video)
PhotoVoice Project- https://www.nimiipuuwellness.org/
There is an old saying that, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” The simplest description of PhotoVoice is a visual depiction of the community, by the community.
Photos from the 2021 Native Connections PhotoVoice project are featured on this website. Photographers are Nez Perce youth, young adults and parents / caregivers of youth and young adults.
This first group of photos were taken in response to the question, “What does self-love mean to you?”
Contact: Abe Broncheau
208-621-4613 | abeb@nezperce.org
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Vocational Rehabilitation Services assist people with disabilities in finding and keeping employment and living independently.
Vocational Rehabilitation Referral Form
Contact: Feather Holt
208-621-4813 | FeatherH@nezperce.org
Higher Education Scholarship Program
This scholarship provides financial assistance for Nez Perce citizens seeking higher education. The program processes tribal scholarship funds for eligible tribal higher education students to support their academic or vocational technical programs. Expand student support services to assist current or future scholarship students to successfully enroll and complete post-secondary degree programs.
Application open for Fall 2025 opens on June 1, 2025. We use SurveyMonkey Apply for our online application process. Here are the steps you will complete:
· If you’re a first time user, register with a username and password. If you previously set up an account, continue with your username and password.
· Complete an eligibility quiz. If you are identified as “not eligible” after completing the quiz, contact Joyce McFarland, Education Manager, at 208-621-4610 or education@nezperce.org to discuss.
· If you are eligible, you will complete the application form.
· Attach required documents to your application.
· Remember to push “submit” so you application is ready to review.
Important links:
- Higher Education Scholarship Application Website
- Scholarship Plan of Operation
- Scholarship Application Requirements <– NEW FLYER ATTACHED!
- Hard Copy of Application (for review only) <– NEW APPLICATION ATTACHED!
(1) If you graduated in the 2024/25 school year, submit your diploma and final transcript to the Education Department to receive your graduation incentive
SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS:
Although we do accept unofficial transcripts and class schedules, we do need quality documents. Screenshots can be unclear or cut off information. Here are instructions on how to create an Adobe document.
Print to PDF: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/print-to-pdf.html#win
Reminder to submit documents that have all required details per the Scholarship Plan of Operation, section 4K:
(1) Semester/quarter transcript, must include student name, institution name, semester/quarter, grades and credits completed and attempted.
(2) Course schedule for the next semester/quarter, must include student name, institution name, number of hours registered, schedule of classes.
Missing required information on the documents you submit, can delay processing your scholarship request.
Contact: 208-621-4610 | education@nezperce.org