2014-02: Support for NIEA/NCAI Tribal Leaders Education Task Force

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 Native, 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 Natives, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, in collaboration with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), NIEA established in 2005 an NIEA/NCAI Tribal Leaders Education Task Force to enhance communication and advocacy coordination between Indian education stakeholders and tribal leaders; and

WHEREAS, the NIEA/NCAI Tribal Leaders Task Force formally convened at both the annual NIEA convention and NCAI convention to address pressing Indian education issues and develop advocacy strategies; and

WHEREAS, there is a continuing need for tribal leaders to engage NIEA in a coordinated approach in order to protect Indian education budgets and advance favorable Indian education legislation; and

WHEREAS, President Obama will meet tribal leaders at the annual Indian Nations Conference and President Obama through Executive Order 13647 has established the White House Council on Native American Affairs to more effectively engage tribal leaders on a Nation to Nation basis and President Obama continues to strengthen Executive Order 13175 on Consultation and Coordination with Tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, in order for NIEA to maximize its advocacy agenda and fulfil its purpose and mission it is necessary to strengthen coordination with tribal leaders;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will reestablish the NIEA/NCAI Tribal Leaders Education Task Force and that NIEA will collaborate with NCAI to ensure that the Task Force is reestablished; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will develop a comprehensive contact list of tribal leaders representing the 567 federally recognized tribes in the United States and seek their participation in the NIEA advocacy agenda; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NIEA will include during the annual convention a Tribal Leaders Education Summit as a venue to convene the NIEA/NCAI Tribal Leaders Education Summit.