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Memorandum of Agreement

MOA Shoshone Bannock Tribes and ISU (PDF of Signed MOA)

THIS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) is entered into by and between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Tribes) and Idaho State University (ISU) with mutual interests supported by the following:

WHEREAS the Tribes are a sovereign nation responsible to its tribal members with an interest in enhancing educational opportunities, research, and economic development for the benefit of said tribal members; and

WHEREAS ISU is located within the original Fort Hall Reservation boundaries, on lands ceded in the 1888 Cessation Act; and

WHEREAS ISU is a public doctoral research university providing a broad range of educational services to a culturally diverse population of students and to the State of Idaho, serving the current and emerging needs of the state and region through its wide range of education, research, and public service programs for students, the Tribes, the general public, public agencies, and private industry; and

WHEREAS ISU and the Tribes seek to establish and maintain a long-term relationship to collaborate, communicate, coordinate, and work cooperatively to advance their mutual interests in enhancing and developing new education and training opportunities, research, and economic development for members of the Tribes; and

WHEREAS ISU and the Tribes shall work to promote a positive campus atmosphere which values cultural diversity, and shall treat all parties with respect through open communication and collaboration; and

WHEREAS the Tribes hold a vested interest in the successful education of its tribal members and the appropriate education of the ISU community regarding the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.  

NOW THEREFORE BE IT AGREED that ISU and the Tribes commit to proactively strengthen the relationships to improve and· enrich the quality of educational services, research, and economic development opportunities provided to and by the Tribes and ISU; and  

ISU and the Tribes hereby agree that, in going forward, they will mutually support and adhere to the following principles, and in exerting their best efforts in doing so, agree as follows:

Commit to regular meetings between the leadership of ISU and the leadership of the Tribes.

  1. The parties shall establish annual meetings between the President of ISU and the Fort Hall Business Council (FHBC).  The meetings shall occur each summer, with a formal agenda developed and agreed upon prior to the annual meeting. Both parties may bring additional staff, as appropriate.
    1. The President of ISU and the FHBC shall annually review the Strategic Priorities to determine the areas of focus for the Tribal/University Advisory Board for the coming year.

Commit to establishment of a Tribal/University Advisory Board for the purpose of providing oversight of the Strategic Priorities attached to this MOA, to include making recommendations for changes and/or adjustments, short and long-term planning, and the monitoring and evaluation of the Strategic Priorities.

  1. The parties shall establish a Tribal/University Advisory Board as follows:
    1. Membership shall include four (4) designees from the Tribes; four (4) designees from ISU; and two (2) Shoshone -Bannock students currently enrolled at ISU.
    2. Members shall serve for the duration of the MOA, with student · representatives serving a minimum of (1) year terms.
    3. Meetings shall take place quarterly, at a minimum, or more frequently as necessary and develop mutually agreed upon agendas, and ISU and the Tribes shall alternate hosting the Advisory Board meeting.
    4. The Tribal/University Advisory Board shall report to the ISU President and the FHBC at their annual meeting. They shall prepare prioritized list of recommended areas of focus for the coming year. The priorities will primarily be developed based on the Strategic Priorities in the MOA Appendix.
    5. The Advisory Board shall set their own management and operating procedures on a consensus-based decision-making process.

Commit to establishing clearly defined processes for open and frequent communication between the two parties.

  1. The parties agree that regular and ongoing meetings between staff of the Tribes and staff of ISU is a necessity. Such meetings will occur as frequently as needed to accomplish common goals and facilitate improved relations.
  2. ISU and the Tribes shall each designate their own primary point of contact who shall be responsible for relaying all communications to their respective leadership, and coordinate action within their organization. They shall also be responsible for updating the Tribal/University Advisory Board on current collaboration efforts.
    1. Recognizing that organizational and employee changes occur, each party will provide the other party with a list of names and titles for the following positions, on an annual basis, or as designation changes.
    2. For the Tribes, the primary point of contact(s) is the Tribal Policy Analyst who and will be responsible for policy or government-to-government relations; and the person(s) responsible for Tribal Education Departments.
    3. For ISU, the primary point of contact(s) is the person(s) responsible for the policy or government-to-government relations; and the Native American Student Advisor/Coordinator.
  3. lSU and the Tribes commit to the sharing of non-confidential information and working to ensure all efforts are successful; and, whenever possible, both parties shall make every effort to provide notification of employment, education, and training opportunities.

Commit to working together in the establishment of mutually agreeable protocols for research, and in the areas of preservation, protection, and management.

  1. Commit to establishing mutually agreeable protocols for research related to or involving the Tribes, as well as increasing greater academic discourse between ISU and the Tribes.
  2. Commit to working together in areas of preservation, protection, and management, including archival, conservation and curation, preservation of native languages, and assistance on general museum studies.

Commit to campus-wide diversity initiatives that provide increased Native American cultural awareness, and hiring diverse qualified faculty, staff, and administrators who are representative of the Native American population.

  1. ISU's Office of Equity and Inclusion will work with the Tribes to develop appropriate cultural diversity training for administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
  2. ISU will work to provide increased opportunities for representation of Native Americans in faculty, staff, and administrator positions. This includes ensuring that the Tribes have an opportunity to participate on search committees where there is a specific focus on Native American student services, Native American academic programs or positions.
  3. ISU and the Tribes recognizes the value of supporting cultural events hosted at ISU and public events at Fort Hall.
  4. ISU and the Tribes will work to create an open and honest discourse on culture, race and Native American current issues to advance student, university, and community awareness and education.

Commit to a campus recognition and celebration of indigenous peoples.

  1. ISU shall designate the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day and plan campus events consistent with a day of recognition and celebration.
  2. The Tribes will assist with, and be a part of, such recognition and celebration.

 

Commit to periodically review and modify, as necessary, the terms of the MOA.

  1. As the relationship between the Tribes and ISU evolves, the parties will periodically review this MOA to determine its effectiveness, progress on commitments, and whether any modifications or adjustments are necessary.
  2. This MOA is executed as of the date of signing, and will remain in effect for five (5) years, at which time it will expire, unless extended in writing by mutual consent, and signed and dated by all parties. All written requests for modifications shall be submitted thirty (30} days· prior to implementation of the requested change(s).
  3. The Advisory Board shall conduct an annual review of the MOA and attached Strategic Priorities, and shall provide recommendations on effectiveness, progress on commitments, and to determine if any modifications are necessary.
  4. The parties agree neither the execution of this Agreement, nor any provision contained herein, shall act, nor be interpreted to act, as a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes hereby specifically preserves and maintains its sovereign immunity and any and all rights appurtenant thereto.

Strategic Priorities

Recognizing that it will take time to accomplish the many Strategic Priorities, each year the President of ISU and the Fort Hall Business Council (FHBC) will prioritize which areas the Tribal/University Advisory Board will focus on first.