Creating Conditions https://creatingconditions.podbean.com Welcome to the Creating Conditions Podcast! Brought to you by the American Indian Student Achievement team at the Montana Office of Public Instruction, where we strive to create the conditions necessary for American Indian students, and all students, to reach their educational and lifelong goals. 

 Creating conditions emphasizes the proactive effort of shaping an environment to facilitate a desired outcome. It involves recognizing that success often depends on more than just effort; it also depends on the surrounding circumstances.

 Our team believes all Montanans stand to benefit from the Indigenous Knowledge that persists today. We are dedicated to serving all students through the creation and implementation of Indigenous, whole child supports.

 No matter where you work, or what populations of students you serve, we are so glad you are checking out our podcast because all students attend school as whole people and whole learners!

]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:45:37 -0700 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en us Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Education 1440 episodic creatingconditions creatingconditions No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/21264436/Creating_Conditions_Podcast.png Creating Conditions https://creatingconditions.podbean.com 144 144 Creating Positive Educational Experiences and CAPE Creating Positive Educational Experiences and CAPE https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/7-creating-connections-creating-positive-educational-experiences-and-cape/ https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/7-creating-connections-creating-positive-educational-experiences-and-cape/#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:45:37 -0700 creatingconditions.podbean.com/67b271e7-06bf-3dd1-9a68-99f278f67541 In this episode we continue our conversations with Tammy and Dylan from the Center for the Advancement for Positive Education, or CAPE. More specifically, we explore concepts of positive psychology and how those relate to the educational experiences of both students and educators. Tammy and Dylan also share examples of their work in Montana schools and with Montana educators to promote authentic happiness and focus on personal and community strengths.

For more information on the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE), please visit: https://www.umt.edu/education/cape/de....

To connect with Tammy or Dylan directly, please find their contact information here: https://www.umt.edu/education/cape/ab...

The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> In this episode we continue our conversations with Tammy and Dylan from the Center for the Advancement for Positive Education, or CAPE. More specifically, we explore concepts of positive psychology and how those relate to the educational experiences of both students and educators. Tammy and Dylan also share examples of their work in Montana schools and with Montana educators to promote authentic happiness and focus on personal and community strengths.

For more information on the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE), please visit: https://www.umt.edu/education/cape/de....

To connect with Tammy or Dylan directly, please find their contact information here: https://www.umt.edu/education/cape/ab...

The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> creatingconditions false No 1266 7 full Attachment and School Attendance Attachment and School Attendance https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/creating-conditions-attachment-and-school-attendance/ https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/creating-conditions-attachment-and-school-attendance/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:02:20 -0700 creatingconditions.podbean.com/0e07ea8b-75e1-3125-a49a-ba517d9be5f6 Often, school attendance is viewed from a numerical lens vs. a relational one. In this episode we explore the concept of attachment and how positive school attachment can increase school attendance and participation in all students, and in Montana's Indigenous students in particular. In this episode we welcome two guest speakers Tammy Tolleson Knee and Dylan Wright, from the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education, and learn about their work and some of the successful strategies they have seen implemented to create welcoming learning spaces that enable students to thrive.

For more information on the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE), please visit: https://www.umt.edu/education/cape/de....

To connect with Tammy or Dylan directly, please find their contact information here: https://www.umt.edu/education/cape/ab...

The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> Often, school attendance is viewed from a numerical lens vs. a relational one. In this episode we explore the concept of attachment and how positive school attachment can increase school attendance and participation in all students, and in Montana's Indigenous students in particular. In this episode we welcome two guest speakers Tammy Tolleson Knee and Dylan Wright, from the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education, and learn about their work and some of the successful strategies they have seen implemented to create welcoming learning spaces that enable students to thrive.

For more information on the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE), please visit: https://www.umt.edu/education/cape/de....

To connect with Tammy or Dylan directly, please find their contact information here: https://www.umt.edu/education/cape/ab...

The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> creatingconditions false No 1747 6 full 5: Understanding Indigenous Kinship Views and Practices 5: Understanding Indigenous Kinship Views and Practices https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-five-understanding-indigenous-kinship-views-and-practices/ https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-five-understanding-indigenous-kinship-views-and-practices/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:00:47 -0700 creatingconditions.podbean.com/4c236b35-5008-3481-bb17-768c15663bdc Family and kinship are typically viewed and understood differently among Indigenous tribes as compared to Anglo Europeans and often educators who serve tribal students may not fully understand these important differences. In this episode we explore some of the ways some Montana tribes view and understand family. We also explore the challenges Indigenous students often face when trying to maintain and honor their familial structures and cultural practices related to kinship and the ways schools can strengthen their support of Indigenous students. 

The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> Family and kinship are typically viewed and understood differently among Indigenous tribes as compared to Anglo Europeans and often educators who serve tribal students may not fully understand these important differences. In this episode we explore some of the ways some Montana tribes view and understand family. We also explore the challenges Indigenous students often face when trying to maintain and honor their familial structures and cultural practices related to kinship and the ways schools can strengthen their support of Indigenous students. 

The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> creatingconditions false No 1497 1 5 full 4: MMIP and One Caring Adult 4: MMIP and One Caring Adult https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-four-mmip-and-one-caring-adult/ https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-four-mmip-and-one-caring-adult/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:00:19 -0700 creatingconditions.podbean.com/eaeb9bf5-31b6-3a9f-a336-74a554a80f10 In this episode we are joined by Indian Education For All (IEFA) specialist, Mike Jetty, to discuss new resources that were developed to bring awareness and prevent the ongoing MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples) crisis in Montana, and across the U.S. We also discuss the importance of ensuring every student has access to at least one caring, trusted adult in school and explore several methods schools can employ to ensure each student establishes a trusting relationship in school. 

 

The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> In this episode we are joined by Indian Education For All (IEFA) specialist, Mike Jetty, to discuss new resources that were developed to bring awareness and prevent the ongoing MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples) crisis in Montana, and across the U.S. We also discuss the importance of ensuring every student has access to at least one caring, trusted adult in school and explore several methods schools can employ to ensure each student establishes a trusting relationship in school. 

 

The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> creatingconditions false No 1437 1 4 full 3: Welcoming Routines and the Indigenous Morning Greetings Project 3: Welcoming Routines and the Indigenous Morning Greetings Project https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-3/ https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-3/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:59:36 -0700 creatingconditions.podbean.com/976b166a-5982-34d9-9b96-446eee9d1e81 The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. 

Welcoming routines, typically carried out in the morning or other times of transition, are routine, welcoming activities that bring warmth and predictability to a student's school day. Welcoming routines help students feel safe and connected to school and prepares students for learning. In this episode we explore welcoming routines and specifically explore a project being stewarded at the Office of Public Instruction, the Indigenous Morning Greetings project. 

The Indigenous Morning Greetings project offers weekly, recorded messages to help Montana students and staff start each week in a good way. These messages provide a warm welcome and words of encouragement through an Indigenous worldview. Messages often include words or phrases in an Indigenous language and offer guidance to help students and staff live well. Each greeting is also paired with prompts for talking circles or reflective writing to allow students and staff to personalize and internalize the messages that are shared. All schools are welcome to utilize these messages. 

If you are interested in receiving the OPI's Indigenous Morning Greetings, please reaching out to Michele Henson (michele.henson@mt.gov) or visit: https://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Indian-Education-for-All/Indian-Student-Achievement

For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. 

Welcoming routines, typically carried out in the morning or other times of transition, are routine, welcoming activities that bring warmth and predictability to a student's school day. Welcoming routines help students feel safe and connected to school and prepares students for learning. In this episode we explore welcoming routines and specifically explore a project being stewarded at the Office of Public Instruction, the Indigenous Morning Greetings project. 

The Indigenous Morning Greetings project offers weekly, recorded messages to help Montana students and staff start each week in a good way. These messages provide a warm welcome and words of encouragement through an Indigenous worldview. Messages often include words or phrases in an Indigenous language and offer guidance to help students and staff live well. Each greeting is also paired with prompts for talking circles or reflective writing to allow students and staff to personalize and internalize the messages that are shared. All schools are welcome to utilize these messages. 

If you are interested in receiving the OPI's Indigenous Morning Greetings, please reaching out to Michele Henson (michele.henson@mt.gov) or visit: https://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Indian-Education-for-All/Indian-Student-Achievement

For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> creatingconditions false No 1361 1 3 full 2: Whole child approaches and the Relational Framework 2: Whole child approaches and the Relational Framework https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-two/ https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-two/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:59:00 -0700 creatingconditions.podbean.com/ea1501f8-809e-3d53-a418-f2f4a161c4cc The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. 

In this episode we explore the Indigenous Whole Learner Relational Framework which creates a lens for educators to see Indigenous students, and all students, holistically. Using the domains of Spirit/Being, Heart/Belonging, Body/Doing, and Mind/Knowing, this framework emphasizes the importance of relationships and aims to inspire educators to take whole-learner approaches in educating and supporting students.   

 

For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

 

To access the Indigenous Whole Learner Relational Framework, please email Crystal Hickman (crystal.hickman@mt.gov) or visit: https://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Indian-Education-for-All/Indian-Student-Achievement

]]> The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. 

In this episode we explore the Indigenous Whole Learner Relational Framework which creates a lens for educators to see Indigenous students, and all students, holistically. Using the domains of Spirit/Being, Heart/Belonging, Body/Doing, and Mind/Knowing, this framework emphasizes the importance of relationships and aims to inspire educators to take whole-learner approaches in educating and supporting students.   

 

For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

 

To access the Indigenous Whole Learner Relational Framework, please email Crystal Hickman (crystal.hickman@mt.gov) or visit: https://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Indian-Education-for-All/Indian-Student-Achievement

]]> creatingconditions false No 1549 1 2 full 1: The "Achievement Gap" 1: The "Achievement Gap" https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-one/ https://creatingconditions.podbean.com/e/episode-one/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:58:26 -0700 creatingconditions.podbean.com/2932e6dc-1fc6-3a4f-955a-fe68bd3c7a73 The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. 

In this episode we discuss what is legislatively called "the achievement gap", which refers to the difference in the academic achievement levels of Montana Native students as compared to non-Native students.

Often, state-level academic data is presented in two unique categories: Native and non-Native students. However, when this data is presented in four categories- Native students attending school on reservations, non-Native students attending school on reservations, Native students attending school off reservations, and non-Native students attending school off reservation) we see the trends in academic achievement are consistent, regardless of whether or not students are attending school on or off reservations. In fact, non-Native students attending school on reservations tend to have the the highest graduation rate, compared to the other student populations. Observing that academic achievement does not appear to be driven by the location of school, we posit that something is missing from the school experiences of many of Montana's Native students and dedicate this podcast series to exploring how schools can create the conditions necessary to support Montana's Native students. 

 

For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> The Creating Conditions podcast is brought to you by the Indian Education team at the Office of Public Instruction. 

In this episode we discuss what is legislatively called "the achievement gap", which refers to the difference in the academic achievement levels of Montana Native students as compared to non-Native students.

Often, state-level academic data is presented in two unique categories: Native and non-Native students. However, when this data is presented in four categories- Native students attending school on reservations, non-Native students attending school on reservations, Native students attending school off reservations, and non-Native students attending school off reservation) we see the trends in academic achievement are consistent, regardless of whether or not students are attending school on or off reservations. In fact, non-Native students attending school on reservations tend to have the the highest graduation rate, compared to the other student populations. Observing that academic achievement does not appear to be driven by the location of school, we posit that something is missing from the school experiences of many of Montana's Native students and dedicate this podcast series to exploring how schools can create the conditions necessary to support Montana's Native students. 

 

For more information about the work taking place with the Tribal Student Student Achievement and Relations unit, please visit our website: opi.mt.gov/weareone

]]> In this episode we discuss what is legislatively called ”the achievement gap”, which refers to the difference in the academic achievement levels of Montana Native students as compared to non-Native students. creatingconditions false No 1089 1 1 full