Tribal leaders and Native-education advocates say the Education Department violated statutory obligations by not consulting tribes before shifting Native American education programs to other agencies, warning the move risks service disruption and funding confusion. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Steve Sitting Bear and tribal organizations called for clear roles and immediate engagement on funding and oversight. At the same time, private philanthropy is injecting funds into tribal higher education: MacKenzie Scott gave $5 million to Little Priest Tribal College, a gift tribal leaders said is transformative but not a substitute for stable federal support.