Pryor Public Schools, located within the Crow Nation in southeastern Montana, is expanding access to education through a 2021 USDA Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant. The grant is providing essential support to the district’s efforts to connect students and teachers to new learning and job-training opportunities through distance learning technology.

Pryor Public Schools serves about 145 students, all of whom identify as American Indian. The district faces many challenges, in growing the local economy and limited access to educational resources. The DLT grant is helping the school overcome these obstacles by funding technology that enables remote learning, career development, and professional growth for both students and teachers.

The project includes a hybrid approach of mobile and fixed learning stations. A mobile learning station, equipped with internet access, will travel to various locations, providing students with the ability to take online courses, participate in job training, and engage in educational field trips. This solution is designed to break down the geographic barriers that have limited educational access in the past.

Emerson Bull Chief, Ph.D., Dean of Academics at Little Big Horn College, emphasized the importance of this partnership. “Because of the distance from the Pryor community to Crow Agency, road conditions, and the cost of fuel, it is challenging for students to attend Little Big Horn College. The ability for us to connect via distance learning will greatly improve students’ lives and benefit the college. This project will help us serve an underserved community by creating the infrastructure to participate in online courses.”

The results of the funding from USDA Rural Development’s award enables partnerships with local institutions like this one between Little Big Horn College and Pryor Schools. The distance between Pryor and Crow Agency, where the college is located, has historically made it difficult for students to attend classes in person. With the new distance learning technology, students can now access college courses remotely, without the need to travel long distances.

In addition to enhancing educational access, the DLT grant is addressing workforce needs in the community. By partnering with Accelerate Montana, the school district is offering Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training to high school students, helping them gain valuable skills in healthcare, a field in high demand across rural Montana. The district also uses the system in its Native Language courses, where students can remotely learn the Crow language and culture from elders. Sandy Filesteel, RN, BSN, Administrator in Training at Awe Kualawaache Care Center at Crow Agency, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “With access to shared distance learning capabilities, we can expose young people to careers in the healthcare industry and encourage post-secondary credentials. This project provides a unique educational opportunity for K-12 students and allows our elders to pass down stories to our youth in real time.”

Kathleen Williams, USDA Rural Development State Director for Montana, praised the initiative’s impact. “This grant is a prime example of how technology can bridge the gap in educational opportunities for rural and Tribal communities like Pryor,” said Williams. “USDA Rural Development is committed to helping schools and communities thrive by providing the tools needed to ensure students have access to the resources they need to succeed. We’re proud to support Pryor Public Schools as they work to improve educational and career outcomes for their students.”

This USDA grant is part of the agency’s broader mission to support rural communities. The technology provided through the DLT program will not only enhance the learning experience for Pryor students but also create professional development opportunities for teachers, improving the overall quality of education in the district.

Through its partnership with Pryor Public Schools, USDA Rural Development is ensuring that students in one of Montana’s most remote communities have the tools they need to succeed. By bringing advanced technology to the district, USDA is helping students overcome geographic challenges and pursue new educational and career opportunities, contributing to a stronger future for the Crow Nation.