Board of Directors Nominations Now Open

NIEA is accepting nominations to fill an at-large vacancy on the NIEA Board of Directors following a recent resignation.

In accordance with NIEA’s bylaws, the individual elected to this position must reside in the Northeast region of the United States.

This role provides an important opportunity to help guide national strategy, strengthen advocacy efforts, and advance educational sovereignty for Native students and Tribal Nations across the country.

Who’s Eligible

  • Must be an NIEA member in good standing

  • Must reside in the Northeast region of the United States (per NIEA bylaws)

  • Must demonstrate a commitment to Native education, Tribal communities, or Indigenous student success

  • Must be able to actively participate in bi-monthly virtual board meetings, in-person meetings as required, and committee work

Selection Process

All eligible nominations will be reviewed and the vacancy will be filled in accordance with NIEA’s bylaws and established governance procedures.

As part of the process, nominees will be required to participate in a Board Candidate Orientation webinar. Following the orientation, nominees must review, sign, and return the NIEA Board of Directors Accountability Statement in order for their nomination to be considered complete.

Deadline

All nominations must be submitted by Friday, March 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Submit Your Nomination Here

For more information on regions and the election process, please see below.

NIEA Board of Directors Election Process

 
 
 

Board of Directors Responsibilities

  • Board members are required to:

    • Participate in regularly scheduled monthly Board meetings.

    • Serve on at least 2 standing committees and attend monthly committee meetings.

    • Travel to attend special events or meetings, e.g. Hill Week, Annual Convention, as they are determined.

    • Make a financial contribution and seek out other ways to ensure the fiscal stability of the organization. Student Board Members are exempt from this requirement.

  • ◦ Active engagement in Board business, i.e. participate in all Board meetings and in committee work.

    ◦ Knowledge of the organization's mission, purpose, goals, policies, programs and services, strengths, and needs.

    ◦ Understand and uphold the policies and procedures of NIEA.

    ◦ Help communicate and positively promote NIEA's mission and programs to the community.

    ◦ Gain familiarity with NIEA finances, budget, and financial/resource needs.

    ◦ Meaningfully contribute to NIEA's fundraising efforts.

    ◦ Assist NIEA with creating sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

 

Election Procedures

Election of the open seats for the NIEA Board of Directors will be held virtually. Election procedures will be in accordance with election procedures established and published by the NIEA Board of Directors. Election of the Board of Directors will be by vote of eligible members of NIEA. Each voting member shall be entitled to one vote; proxy votes shall not be allowed.

  • Virtual Voting will begin Friday, October 10, 2025 at 9:00 am PST and will close Friday, October 10, 2025 at 5:00pm PST.

    NIEA members will receive a link to vote from a third-party.

    If you are an active NIEA member and do not receive this link on October 8, 2025, please contact Jennifer Wilson, Membership & Communications Manager, at jwilson@niea.org or Waquin Preston, State & Tribal Policy Director, at wpreston@niea.org

  • On-site voting will take place at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, WA at the 56th Annual NIEA Convention & Trade Show.

    On-site voting will begin on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 9:00 am PST and will close on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 5:00pm PST.

    You can find the stations at Registration.

    You must be a current NIEA member to vote.

  • The process of tabulating the official votes for Board of Directors candidates will adhere to Article IV of the NIEA Constitution. All votes will be tabulated by a third party and validated by the NIEA Board Ombudsperson. The candidates with the highest number of votes will be offered a seat on the new of Board Directors.

    The results will be announced October 11, 2025.

For any questions please contact Jennifer Wilson, Membership & Communications Manager, at jwilson@niea.org OR Waquin Preston, NIEA Tribal & State Policy Director, at wpreston@niea.org.