THE FOLLOW UP
STATEMENT

Multiple tribal schools are participating in the Native Youth Firefighter Training Program

True

Evidence from credible sources supports the statement as accurate. Learn more in Methodology.

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Enrollment or participation records showing students from the listed schools are enrolled in or receiving training through the program.

Source summary
The Department of the Interior announced a partnership between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education to expand the Native Youth Firefighter Training Program, which provides hands-on instruction, mentorship and technical training to high school and post-secondary Native students. Participating schools from South Dakota, Montana, New Mexico and Oklahoma are involved now, and officials are exploring dual-enrollment with Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. The program uses virtual tools such as the Wildland Fire Learning Portal and aims to prepare students for seasonal and permanent positions with tribal, federal and state fire programs.
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Latest fact check

An official Bureau of Indian Education press release dated Feb. 3, 2026 (posted on bie.edu) explicitly lists Pine Ridge School, Cheyenne Eagle Butte School, St. Francis Indian School (South Dakota), Two Eagle River School (Montana), Northwest High School (New Mexico), and Sequoyah High School (Oklahoma) as currently participating in the Native Youth Firefighter Training Program. Bureau of Indian Affairs and National Interagency Fire Center pages describe the BIA/BIE-led Native Youth Firefighter Training Program and BIA fire-training support, corroborating that the program is active and administered by these agencies. Verdict: True — the statement matches the names and participation status given in the BIE press release and supporting BIA/NIFC program materials.

Sources

Timeline

  1. Update · Feb 04, 2026, 12:45 AMTrue
    An official Bureau of Indian Education press release dated Feb. 3, 2026 (posted on bie.edu) explicitly lists Pine Ridge School, Cheyenne Eagle Butte School, St. Francis Indian School (South Dakota), Two Eagle River School (Montana), Northwest High School (New Mexico), and Sequoyah High School (Oklahoma) as currently participating in the Native Youth Firefighter Training Program. Bureau of Indian Affairs and National Interagency Fire Center pages describe the BIA/BIE-led Native Youth Firefighter Training Program and BIA fire-training support, corroborating that the program is active and administered by these agencies. Verdict: True — the statement matches the names and participation status given in the BIE press release and supporting BIA/NIFC program materials.
  2. Original article · Feb 03, 2026
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