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POLSON - Educators with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes met with their counterparts at Polson High School today for a one-of-a-kind conference, the 2012 tribal Pupil Instruction Related Day.

The tribal PIR day started back in 1995 and is the only one of its kind in the state of Montana.

Most school districts have PIR days, but this one is focused on helping teachers relate to Native American students in the public school system.

Teachers from all over the Flathead Indian Reservation met at Polson High School for seminars and classes that centered not only on general education, but also on cultural lessons. Teachers participated in classes such as the history of the Salish language and tribal history. Some took part in a pow wow as well.

Penny Kipp, the CSKT tribal education director, said the purpose of the day is to get schools on board with the tribe's goals.

"And for them to be able to ask questions and find the resources and be able to bring that all back into the classroom," she said. "To make their classroom successful and be good partners with us as a tribe and be good partners with us as a tribe and the people and their families."