2010-04: Support of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to Establish A Tribally Controlled College to Serve American Indian People in California

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 Indians, 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, Tribally controlled colleges and universities were created to provide a unique postsecondary educational opportunity for Tribal citizens from throughout the Tribal nations, both in the United States and in other countries in which indigenous populations are present; and

WHEREAS, in 2010 there are 37 Tribal colleges and universities serving upwards of 27,000 American Indians in 14 states and Canada; and

WHEREAS,  no Tribal college currently operates in the State of California; and

WHEREAS, tribes in California are seeking to establish a Tribal College that will serve American Indian people in California and across the country; and

WHEREAS, the Tribal college’s mission is to form, in active partnership with  the  indigenous Tribes of California, a post-secondary institution capable of creating a culturally nurturing environment for Tribal citizens; and

WHEREAS, the goal of the Tribal college is to help Tribal citizens strengthen their  individual economic self-sufficiency; to increase their capacity to engage in and enhance tribal self-government; to preserve and restore tribal traditions, customs, and artifacts; to build and strengthen Tribal nations; to support and facilitate Tribal leadership and scholarship; and to sustain, improve, and increase the socio-economic well-being of Tribal communities.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that  the  National  Indian  Education  Association hereby supports the Initiative of tribes in California including efforts to attain federal, state, and tribal funding to access feasibility and operate the college; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the  policy of the National  Indian Education Association (NIEA) until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.