2010-02: Support of the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly Recommendations for the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1970 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA as the largest national Indian organization of American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian educators, administrators, parents and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education of Indian and Native people; and

WHEREAS, through its’ unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved ornon-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, all Native American children shall receive equal opportunities from thefederal government based upon the unique indigenous status, language, and cultural history,

WHEREAS, through its unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved ornon-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, Tribal Education Departments and Agencies (TEDs/TEAs) are responsible for administering and implementing education priorities of tribal governments and are equal partners with state and federal education entities serving tribal students; and

WHEREAS, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is up for reauthorization and is the largest federal education law that serves tribal students; and

WHEREAS, all ESEA programs could do more to help tribal students by recognizing a role, or by enhancing the role, including in public school education, of TEDs/TEAs; and

WHEREAS, the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA) is a national advocacy organization that represents TEDs/TEAs in law and policy issues effecting tribal sovereignty over education; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, supports increasing the role of TEDs/TEAs in Indian education by increasing tribal eligibility for ESEA funding, and increasing authorization of tribal administration of ESEA programs; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, supports consultation between tribal governments, TEDNA, and Title VII Indian Education programs serving urban populations; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, supports TEDNA’s ESEA recommendations that will increase tribal eligibility for ESEA funding, increase the role of tribal governments in Indian education, intergovernmental education compacts and cooperative agreements, and increase partnerships between federal, state, and tribal entities serving tribal students; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, does hereby support TEDNA’s recommendations for the reauthorization ofthe ESEA.