The state's first American Indian Education Summit is under way today in St. Paul, with the goal to "bring together tribal and state education leaders, as well as key stakeholders, to address barriers and challenges currently facing the state’s Indian students."

Officials say the day-long event will also look at ways to "begin developing shared strategies to improve student achievement and outcomes for Indian children."

Keynote speakers are Dr. Denise Juneau, state superintendent of Montana’s Office of Public Instruction, and Commissioner Kevin Lindsey from the Department of Human Rights.

The conference was convened by Gov. Mark Dayton and sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education, the Tribal Nations Education Committee, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the North Central Comprehensive Center and the Minnesota Humanities Center.