(1) The governing bodies of each of Montana's eight tribal nations or community entities may execute a contract with the Office of Public Instruction for the Montana Indian Language Preservation (MILP) program.
(2) Tribal governments must enter into a contract with the Office of Public Instruction no later than February 1, 2024.
(3) Production of language products and implementation of product objectives must be incorporated into the overall contract between each tribal government and the Office of Public Instruction.
(4) A tribal resolution or its equivalent may accompany the application authorizing application to the program for the specified project.
(5) Tribal governments may enter into an agreement with a subrecipient, or designee, to transfer the responsibilities of administering part or whole of the program only with the prior approval of the Office of Public Instruction before subrecipient activities are performed.
(6) Grantees will document the number of students with early learning providers, the number of schools, and the number of adult education offerings. Grantees will show a documented 10% or greater increase in outreach to language learners over two years.
(7) Eligible uses of funds include:
(a) development of audio and visual recordings;
(b) creation of reference materials which may be audio, visual, electronic, and written format;
(c) creation of publication of curricula, which may include electronic curricula;
(d) language classes;
(e) publication of literature; or
(f) language programs, workshops, seminars, camps, and other presentations in formal and informal settings.
(8) Program funds will be equally distributed through a contract to each tribal government that successfully applies, and is approved, for the funds. If fewer than the eight recognized tribal governments successfully apply for the MILP funds, the remaining funds will be distributed equally among the tribal governments who successfully applied for the funds.
(9) Distribution of funds are governed by individual contracts between the Office of Public Instruction and each tribal government or community entity. The individual contracts must specify the method of distribution from the Office of Public Instruction to the tribal government, community entity, or its designee. Funds may be distributed directly to a designee if this is expressly noted in a subrecipient agreement and a designation of depository form is completed with account information.
(10) Tribal governments, community entities, or their designees must comply with applicable laws, rules, policies, and regulations concerning, but not limited to, human rights, civil rights, employment law, labor law, and contract law.