North Dakota has released its first updated tribal history and culture textbook for schools statewide, with additional volumes already in development.

The new textbook is part of a broader initiative to expand and update tribal educational resources across North Dakota. The state first required instruction in Native American history in 2015, but until now, schools relied on older materials. The release of this updated textbook marks a milestone in honoring the traditions, stories, and contemporary issues of North Dakota’s tribal nations.

For Bismarck students, teachers, and families, the textbook represents more than curriculum—it’s a step toward strengthening cultural understanding. With five tribal nations located in North Dakota, the inclusion of their voices and stories in the classroom is vital for local education. Bismarck Public Schools confirmed they plan to integrate the textbook into classrooms by spring 2026.

“Having access to accurate, locally relevant tribal history gives our students the context they need to understand both the past and the present,” a Bismarck middle school teacher said.

With this first updated tribal textbook in circulation, North Dakota is laying the groundwork for a series of culturally informed resources. Educators and tribal leaders say this is only the beginning of a new era of inclusive education. For Bismarck classrooms, it means students will learn a fuller story of the land they live on—and the people who have called it home for centuries.