Lobbying And Impact Week In Washington, D.C.

WHEREAS, the Johnson-O’Malley (JOM) Program, Indian Education Programs, and Indian nations have suffered annual decreases in their funding allocations; and

WHEREAS, the United States president, Congress and federal agencies must take into consideration the annual student count increase while there is a hardship to students due to the annual decrease in funding; and

WHEREAS, these funding decreases are direct violations of treaties made with Indian nations, and are violations of the trust responsibility; and

WHEREAS, the federal government and agencies acknowledge tribal leadership as sovereign nations; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for a persistent power lobbying effort and a daily presence in Washington, D.C. for tribal governments.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION will spearhead support for and participate in the establishment of a daily presence and persistant annual lobbying effort and impact week on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., to educate Congress and combatting against further cuts to the JOM Program and other Indian education programs for tribal nations and Alaska Natives;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, through its action and activities, will show that the intent of such lobbying efforts and an “Impact Week” is to bring together a united front of students, parents, educators, tribal members, tribal government officials, and local, regional, and national organizations to lobby the United States president, Congress, and appropriate federal agencies against further cuts to the JOM Program, Indian education programs, and Indian nations.

SUBMITTED BY: Phil Two Eagle (Rosebud Sioux)

CERTIFICATION

I do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly considered and passed by the NIEA membership assembled at its annual convention in Tacoma, Washington, at which a quorum was present, during the meeting held November 2-6, 1997.