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The North Branch American Indian Education Program is designed to assist American Indian students in graduating from high school with quality education and positive cultural identity. Funding for this program is provided through Title VI of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and the State of Minnesota Indian Education funding through the Minnesota Department of Education.

Indian Education programs grow out of the special trust relationship that exists between the U.S. government and American Indian tribes secured in treaties between the two nations. In administering this trust, federal agencies are responsible for preserving, protecting, and guaranteeing Indian rights and property. Many treaties contained educational provisions. All federal programs for American Indians share two purposes: they fulfill specific treaty provisions and they fulfill a general commitment to the Indian tribes to improve their social, educational, and economic conditions. 

One of our Indian Education Students and his hoop dancing skills were featured on WCCO recently! Check it out!

American Indian Education Program Coordinator
Benjamin Paro
bparo@isd138.org

American Indian Education Educational Assistant
Teresa Carlson
teresacarlson@isd138.org

To register your student for the Indian Education Program, click here.

Please send all forms to Ben Paro (bparo@isd138.org)

Boozhoo indinawemaaganidoog! Hello all my relatives!

My name is Ben Paro, and I am the Indian Ed Coordinator for NBAPS as well as a band and music teacher in the district.
My job is to facilitate the AIPAC and programming for students, provide direct support to students, and be an advocate for American Indian education within the school district.
I am a direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa as well as Norwegian and Swedish immigrants on my dad's side, and Finnish and German immigrants on my mom's side. I want our students to understand their heritage and where they come from, but I especially want them to develop and strengthen connections to their American Indian identity.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments.

Gigawaabamin! See you again!

-Ben Paro