Advocating for Native Students and Schools Impacted by COVID-19

Since the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) began to spread early this year, NIEA has engaged with congressional leaders to ensure that our students, schools, and communities have access to the resources needed now and in the coming months.

Now, as schools begin the fall semester, it is more important than ever to protect the safety and well-being of our students, educators, and communities.

NIEA Priorities

FULL FUNDING FOR K-12 SCHOOLS

• $1.5 billion in direct funding to Bureau-funded schools, as defined in 25 U.S.C. §2021(3) to meet the health, safety, and educational needs of students due to the impacts of COVID-19.

• $1 billion in emergency funding to address the backlog of unfunded repairs and renovations at Bureau-funded schools, as defined in 25 U.S.C. §2021(3).

FULL FUNDING FOR TRIBAL COLLEGES and universities

• Establish a $24 million Tribal College and University (TCU) IT Service Fund within the USDA-Rural Utilities Service Program

• $500 million for TCU Deferred Maintenance & Rehabilitation

• Increase TCU portion of HBCU and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Education Stabilization Fund to 10 percent.