In a small community like Boundary County, teamwork is everything. For years, the Boundary County School District (BCSD) has found a dedicated partner in the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. Through steady donations and cultural support, the Tribe is helping local students succeed.
Investing in the Future
The Kootenai Tribe provides annual donations to the district, but they don’t just write a check and walk away. We trust the input from the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and honor their requests.
Over the years, these funds have touched almost every part of school life. Here are just a few examples:
● New Resources: Buying updated books for the Bonners Ferry High School library, physical activity items, and classroom sets of Sacajawea for 4th and 5th grade students.
● Better Facilities: Helping build new bleachers for the high school and middle school, sponsoring a classroom for the “new” Valley View Elementary School, completing the high school track, and funding the softball field.
● Student Wellbeing: Funding critical mental health resources to help students navigate challenges.
More Than Just Funding
The partnership goes deeper than money. The Kootenai Tribe has brought history and culture to life for BCSD students by sponsoring powerful presentations. Students have learned through programs like Native Voice, Through the Eyes of a Friend, and The Right to Dream.
One highlight was a visit from Randy’L Teton, the woman who served as the model for the Sacajawea US dollar coin. These events help students understand the diverse history of the land they live on.
A Seat at the Table
Our district also looks to the Tribe for guidance on what students are learning. The district has invited Chairwoman Porter to provide input on state standards and the books used in classrooms. This collaboration ensures that the curriculum is respectful and inclusive of the Tribe’s heritage.
We are thankful for the partnership, support, and input from the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. Our goal is to support all our students within our community.
As Boundary County School District looks toward the future, we will continue to collaborate with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho to best serve our kids.
