BIE Celebrates Five Years of GAOA LRF Campus Improvements

Thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, the Bureau of Indian Education has made significant progress over the past five years in modernizing school campuses and creating safe, sustainable learning environments for students and staff. These investments have enabled BIE to address longstanding infrastructure needs across multiple Tribal communities, supporting the agency’s mission while restoring the physical foundation of BIE’s education system.  

With GAOA LRF funding, BIE will oversee multiple large-scale construction and modernization projects, marking an unprecedented step forward for the Bureau. Thanks to this funding that supports renovation, new construction, demolition, and clean up, many more BIE students learn in facilities that meet federal safety and accessibility standards.  

Work continues across the country. At Many Farms High School, a campus replacement project is underway that will create a safe, modern facility. Once finished, it will give students and staff access to high-quality education and leadership development facilities. 

Other campus improvements supported by GAOA LRF include repair or replacement of housing for staff at Shonto Preparatory School and Wounded Knee District School, which will help provide much needed residential housing for school staff and improve staff recruitment and retention. 

Beyond these upgrades, GAOA funds have been used to demolish unsafe and outdated buildings, removing physical hazards, boosting campus safety, and creating space for future growth. These efforts address essential health and safety concerns, boost community pride, and support long-term sustainability.  

We celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act by reflecting on the meaningful progress achieved across BIE schools and the ongoing impact of this investment. The Legacy Restoration Fund has helped improve BIE’s learning environments, enabling Native students to succeed. The work enabled by GAOA demonstrates a shared dedication to future generations and a stronger, more resilient BIE.

Tony Dearman
Bureau of Indian Education Director