Resolutions Archive

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, there are more than 300 unique languages spoken in the United States today with more than half of those languages spoken by members of different Native American tribes; and

WHEREAS, Native languages are fundamental to Tribal nations, histories, cultures, and traditions and Native language instruction in educational and community settings is crucial to Native language revitalization; and

WHEREAS, Native students, families, and communities continue to experience the devastating impacts and trauma of federally funded educational policies that were developed over 150 years ago, including individual loss of identity, low self- esteem, mental health and substance abuse issues, near destruction of extended family/kinship systems, loss of languages, loss of Tribal traditions and ceremonies, and weakened nations structure; and

WHEREAS, LANDBACK is a reclamation of land and is a movement that has existed for generations with a legacy of organizing and sacrifice to get Indigenous Lands back into Indigenous hands, especially for cultural and place-based educational purposes and land-based schools; and

WHEREAS, Native languages are at-risk of being destroyed due to the declining number of elders who speak their languages and are the gatekeepers of cultural knowledge; and as our indigenous languages are at-risk of being destroyed due to the declining number of elders who speak their native language and that hold the cultural knowledge; and

WHEREAS, smudging, is a culturally appropriate and authentic response to stress, anxiety, fear, hurt, strengthening and building confidence and recognized as such intertribally across the country; i.e. hospitals, courtrooms, and conferences; and

WHEREAS, through its unique relationship with Native 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, Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a legal theory that points out systemic inequities in multiple domains such as real estate, law enforcement, provision of social services, health care and education (Bell, 1995; Delgado & Stefancic, 2017); and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association shall submit this resolution to Congress and the Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Interior for consideration of Impact Aid Program funding for tribally controlled schools to increase funding parity with public schools located on and near tribal lands within 90-days of the passage of this resolutions by the members of NIEA or before the end of the calendar year, 2021; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association urges the Department of Education to include and support any doctoral program or advanced degree program within the OIE Indian Education Professional Development Grant Program; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association rejects any legislation or actions that limit the teaching of full and accurate history of the United States, especially as it relates to American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA will develop a policy template and related professional development materials to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of Native students by protecting expressions of cultural identity, such as the wearing of eagle feathers at graduation and having long hair, in order to foster a learning environment that enhances the safety and educational development of all students while honoring the cultural customs of Natives and all other protected classes; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association urges Congress to support full funding for culturally responsive distance education programs, health related resources, and professional development programs for educators teaching Native students through virtual and distance models; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA endorses the Tribal Connect Act introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich and Representative Ben Ray Luján to promote broadband access for students and tribal community members by amending current E-Rate eligibility requirements to allow tribal libraries, tribal colleges, and tribally owned Community-Serving Institutions to apply for this program, and to increase FCC technical support and training to help tribes apply to the E-Rate and other Universal Service Fund programs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) supports all tribal nations and Native communities, that take steps to establish and implement an agency with the same rights, resources, and authority as a State Education Agency and its contracting of management level functions at the national and tribal district level; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), in partnership with the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA), urges states to work with tribes and Native communities to develop and enact cooperative agreements with SEAs, LEAs, and institutions of higher education; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will work with TEDNA and other partners to support the development of state laws and codes that allow Native students to wear regalia and items of cultural and religious significance at celebrations and school events, including graduation; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association urges the Department of Education to define “high proportion of Indian students” as 5 percent or higher in regulations under the Every Student Succeeds Act; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association urges Congress to support full funding to support culturally responsive special education programs, and professional development programs for educators of Native students with disabilities; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association urges the Department of Education and Bureau of Indian Education to fulfill the federal trust responsibility by providing high-quality, ongoing technical assistance to Native communities and local educational agencies (LEAs) that serve the needs of Native students in the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association calls upon Congress and the Administration to increase funding for BIE school infrastructure, construction, and repair; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) supports a complete and accurate Census count in 2020, particularly among population groups who have been historically undercounted; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association recognizes and supports LGBTQ2S Native students, educators, and community members as a means of building culture-based educational systems where all American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian students can be inspired, engaged, and thrive.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will work in partnership with the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly and other Native education serving organizations to advocate for increased congressional authorizations $10,000,000 per year through the U.S. Department of Interior, and $10,000,000 per year through the U.S. Department of Education.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, NIEA supports opportunities for all Native students to pursue postsecondary education, including through federal loans, grants, and scholarships.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association demands the reinstatement of affirmative action guidelines.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association supports improved access to fully funded child nutrition services and programs that serve American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association strongly condemns any policy, strategy, or practice that would separate families.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association shall advocate for the inclusion of language allowing tribes and tribal organizations to be recipients of FAFSA data in any HEA reauthorization.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association calls on SEAs to ensure that meaningful tribal consultation is occurring on an ongoing basis as a way to deepen tribal-state partnerships.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association calls on schools and districts to ensure that meaningful tribal consultation is occurring on an ongoing basis as a way to deepen tribal-local partnerships.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association calls on states, districts, and public educational institutions to seek guidance from tribes and Native communities to work collaboratively to effectively implement legislation similar to IEFA if their respective state has already passed such a law.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA supports Senate Resolution 60 which designated May 5, 2017, as the ‘‘National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls’’; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that that the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) hereby declares strong opposition to the Back Forty Mine; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association shall support tribal choice in the education of Native students in the era of school choice under the new Administration.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, NIEA supports the following foundational principles for the development of Native charter schools:

1. Integrate Native languages, histories, and cultures into the schools to help ground students in who they are, where they come from, and support them in fulfilling their purpose;

2. Place based learning that is derived from the community’s perspective and lived experiences throughout the entire learning process;

3. Application of Native thought and philosophy in order for Native students to be college, career, and community ready.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will continue to advocate with Congress and the Department of Education on the priorities of Native American languages, including building upon these recommendations and full implementation of NALA in order to increase support for Native American languages being used as primary languages of education; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA shall advocate for full engagement and Consultation with tribes, Native education leaders, Title VI grantees, and NIEA in consideration of the Title VI evaluation; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA supports the concept behind the establishment of a National Native American Hall of Fame through a vote of its members, and issuance of this resolution.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA calls upon ED to officially engage with experts on Native American languages and those experienced with the actual use of Native American languages by forming an Advisory Committee to gather information from the Native American community for the Report.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA supports the preceding recommendations and resolves to work with NIHSDA on preparing for and educating federal officials about the upcoming Head Start Act reauthorization; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA limit the number of terms served by the Board of Directors to (3) three, (3) three year terms served nonconsecutively; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that that the Native American Indian Education Association (NIEA) reaffirms its commitment to a tribally controlled education and opposes voucher programs such as ESAs for students attending BIE funded schools as a mechanism to better support Native students; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NIEA work in partnership with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to urge the incoming Administration to convene a working group of government officials, tribal leaders, Native educators, and education advocates within the first 180 days to develop a national proposal for training and employing effective and culturally competent Native teachers; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NIEA appeals to the various federal agencies including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Census Bureau, and state agencies to take the necessary steps to engage American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians to correct and improve the identification processes for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students to achieve equitable and optimal educational opportunities for students; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association passed resolution 2014-11 on BIE implementation in 2014 and seeks to make sure BIE is accountable and serves Native students optimally through its organizational structure; and

NOW THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association calls upon states to consider the adoption of legislation modeled after the “Indian Education for All” statute of Montana in consultation with American Indian tribes and people of the state.

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

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association affirms its’ continued support for the establishment of an Assistant Secretary of Indian Education Office within the Department of Education; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will coordinate, to the extent possible, with federal agencies to gain information, reports, work plans and outcomes regarding the implementation and impact of Executive order 13592; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association Board and Executive Director are directed to continue the tradition of the NIEA Legislative Summit and raise the necessary resources to execute the organization of the NIEA Legislative Summit; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association supports a BIE immersion Demonstration Project in the amount of $3 million annually and directs both the NIEA Board and Executive Director to pursue this appropriations request with the Office of Management and Budget, White House Council on Native American Affairs, White House Senior Policy Advisors, and Interior Appropriations leaders in both chambers of Congress; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association calls upon the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to review conflicts between different sections within NCLB relative to NALA 1990 and of the rights of Native Americans to retain and further develop their languages and cultures while participating in federally supported education; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, NIEA proclaims this Declaration of Indigenous Youth an affirmation of the identities of indigenous peoples, who shall strive to live by the values and principles embedded within their cultures, languages, and traditions; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association Board members will form a working group comprised of NIEA board members and immersion stakeholders to draft a proposal for White House consideration addressing a comprehensive White House Native language policy statement; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association honors and recognizes the remarkable lifetime work, efforts, and accomplishments of Kaagoowu (Dr. William Demmert) and respectfully request that the Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act be renamed to include Dr. William Demmert’s name in the long title of the bill; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association directs the Board and Executive Director to request a congressional investigation into the Bureau of Indian Education restructuring and Blueprint for Reform to ascertain if the Secretarial Order creates a statutory conflict and to document Department of the Interior proposed offsets to pay for the restructuring; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association recognizes the outstanding work of Suzanne Harjo to educate America about the history of the Redsk*ns’ name and negative stereotypes associated with the Redsk*ns’ name; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby call for meaningful consultation and requests immediate cooperation with grantees as this new agency APR directive is pursued in order to ensure all pertinent constituency groups’ issues are addressed; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby support the Maori proposal to establish an International Indigenous Nations Graduate University at Haskell Indian Nations University but requests the need for consultation with the Haskell Advisory Board throughout the process; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby call for the Department of Education (ED) to specifically include Native students within NCLB Title I, Part C – Education of Migratory Children – to ensure Native students have the same access to resources as those other migratory populations and are not penalized by disparities in curriculum, graduation requirements, or state academic content and achievement standards when changing schools; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby call for the establishment of a Tribal/Federal Task Force (Task Force) comprised of tribal leaders and federal agency representatives to study the funding constraints BIE schools face as well as investigate appropriate measures to be taken in order to address such concerns culminated into a final report; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association urges the Obama Administration in conjunction with the United States Congress to take action to ensure that BIE funding is made available to all American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, as well as tribal organizations, on the same terms it is made available in the rest of the United States; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA joins the NJOMA, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET), and the Tribal Education Departments National Association (TEDNA) in support of efforts to use U.S. census data for a student count for the JOM program and for funding level determinations; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA calls on Congress to request a third GAO report on the BIE to analyze the potential effects of shifting funding streams from the BIA to the BIE so that administrative functions and funding allocations are held strictly within the BIE, thus allowing BIE personnel – those who better understand the Native children they serve – with the necessary administrative functions and funding authority to increase the agency’s effectiveness and increase service to Native students; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA does hereby encourage the federal government and Christian denominations instrumental for running boarding schools and implementing assimilationist policy to acknowledge responsibility for their roles, to formally express their regret for such roles if they have yet to do so, and to provide support in the form of funding for addressing the healing needs of prior boarding school students as well as their subsequent generations; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA calls upon states to identify and evaluate the educational needs of tribal nations and Native communities and provide evidence including: dropout rate, attendance, student achievement and tribally defined standards at all grade levels; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA opposes inequitable conditions between school systems serving Native students and that teachers of Native children, whether they serve in traditional public, BIE, charter or tribally-contracted schools, should have equal access to benefit packages and services; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA recommends OIE to provide ample opportunity for meaningful consultation that includes the pertinent constituency groups prior to any Department of Education action regarding changes to forms used or the adoption or implementation of new regulations that will affect such groups; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA calls for the immediate elimination of race-based Native logos, mascots, and names from educational institutions and national sports franchises across the United States; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA recommends that the Office of Indian Education in ED ensure that NACIE assembles once per year at the National Indian Education Association Annual Convention to ensure diverse, local input is adequately incorporated into federal policy.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA will support the efforts of expanding immersion and language revitalization efforts within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act but not at the expense of existing funding and if immersion and language revitalization efforts are expanded within the Native education title, funds and resources shall not be allocated from existing programs so that programs can continue to adequately address the cultural, linguistic, and educational needs of Native students; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA calls for Congress to reach a budget agreement that meets the nation’s obligations to tribal nations and Native peoples; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA supports provisions for the promotion, protection, and use of our Native languages – American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian – at the earliest stage of child development in any federal legislation as a means to reverse language loss and that set aside funds are established for grant programs for tribes, tribal, and Native Hawaiian organizations; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA supports the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), particularly Indian, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Education Acts, so that Native Education is left as a distinct and separate title to strengthen Native, tribal, and local control over the education of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native students; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA honors and recognizes the lifetime work, efforts and accomplishments of one truly good man dedicated to improving and preserving the education opportunities for the American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiians students.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, NIEA does hereby urge the U.S. Congress to reauthorize and fund the Native American Languages Preservation Act as an investment in the Cultural and Language Revitalization goals of the tribes throughout Indian Country.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA strongly opposes the negative affect on Impact Aid that will result if sequestration, as created by the Budget Control Act of 2011, is triggered; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA supports adding language to support a doctoral program within the USDOE Office of Indian Education Indian Professional Development Grants; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NIEA and the National Johnson-O’Malley Association supports the increase of JOM program funding at the level of $36 million dollars and requests that the US Congress and the US Senate mandate the $36 million dollars and that future appropriations be increased by a prescribed formula based on the JOM student count, and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tribes of the GPTCA call upon the Obama Administration and the Congress of the United States to cease this unfounded reorganization which targets only the services provided to the Tribes of North and South Dakota, cease efforts to approve a MOU with the Department of Education prior to justifying the rejection of every recommendation of the Great Plains Tribes without any explanation or rationale, and begin the process of engaging in the statutorily required government – to-government consultation with tribal nations of the Great Plains in the next 30 days from this resolution ; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby support the BUILD Act, which was introduced by Senator Tom Udall from New Mexico; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby support the Native CLASS Act (S. 1262), introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka from Hawai’i; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the USDOE shall immediately complete and release a report to the general public on the meetings, consultations, and public hearings which have occurred between the USDOE and American Indians and Alaska Natives on the state of American Indian and Alaska Native education across the United States.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA supports the creation and adoption of an Executive Order signed by the President of the United States that:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby oppose the State and Local Funding Flexibility Act (H.R. 2445), introduced by Representative John Kline from Minnesota; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the USDOE shall immediately release the NACIE report to Congress to the general public.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby oppose the Setting New Priorities in Education Spending Act (H.R. 1891), introduced by Representative Duncan Hunter from California; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association does hereby support the appropriations language in HR 2584, introduced by Representative Mike Simpson from Idaho, which provides for full funding for contract support funds.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association requests that the USDA and BIE collaborate on a plan which would allow for those BIE schools that operate five or seven day/week residential schools are allowed to be reimbursed for evening meals and meals on weekends.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association asks all entities to include federal, state, local, in-and-out of school programs, and tribes who work with Native Students to build effective partnerships and collaborations which will increase the number of college graduates, more technical programs completions and more a more effective work force for recent High School graduates; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will support the development of a Native American dental school that will recruit and serve Native students throughout the country; utilize a holistic approach to dentistry; and provide access to quality dental care throughout Native America.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA supports removing the payback requirements which currently exist within the USDOE Office of Indian Education Teacher Training Grants; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA was instrumental in drafting the Native CLASS Act which supports strengthening all aspects of Native education; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association calls upon the United States Congress as it considers the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to include programs or schools taught through a Native American language, similar to provisions of the language of academic standards, assessment and accountability made for Puerto Rico in Title I, so that the language of assessment is in the Native American language of instruction; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA shall support a priority ethnic designation of AI/AN/NH if such students elect to identify themselves as AI/AN/NH and Multi-Ethnic; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA supports the preservation and education of the Navajo Code Talkers’ language, legacy, heritage & culture, and history to benefit all future generations.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA requests to the federal government to provide an increase to the student transportation funding to at least $3.90 per mile which his much closer to the national average of $3.58.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA hereby requests to the appropriate entities: Federal Government, Congressmen, Appropriation committees and Standing Committees to provide full funding of this program and to cease the constraint immediately for proper management for the facilities’ school wide programs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA hereby supports full funding by the Federal government for Tribal colleges and tribally controlled career and technical training institutions, including United Tribes Technical College and Navajo Technical College and rejects proposals from Senators Coburn and Scott Brown that would devastate these institutions and create tremendous disruptions to the lives of the students attending these institutions; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA hereby recommends to the Federal Government, Congressmen, Appropriation Committee and Standing Committee to fully fund Administrative Cost, incurred by Indian Tribes with operated Federal Indian Grant Schools.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA supports full participation and access for ALL Natives – Federal and State – in the reauthorization of the ESEA Title VII programs to meet the unique educational needs which include cultural and language based programs.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association will support the expansion of Title VI for Enhanced Assessment Instruments or other areas applicable in the reauthorization of elementary and secondary education to include contracts to such research partnerships models in the development of assessment instruments in a Native American language.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, supports increasing the role of TEDs/TEAs in Indian education by increasing tribal eligibility for ESEA funding, and increasing authorization of tribal administration of ESEA programs; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, does hereby support the authorization of, and/or increasing, tribal eligibility for all pe1ti.11ent ESEA program and formula funding including state level formula funding; and tribal administration of programs and services supported by such funding; and

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

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association supports the 50th Anniversary Convention be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota site of the first convening of Indian education convention.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, NIEA calls upon states who adopt CCSS engage in meaningful consultation with Tribal Nations and Native communities to develop Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) incorporating the histories, cultures, languages, tribal sovereignty and government structures of the Tribal Nations and Native communities in each state and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA membership calls upon the National Congress of American Indians and the National Indian Education Association to work collaboratively with the U.S. Department of Interior and Department of Education to develop an Assessment Plan of the Bureau of Indian Education and report back to NIEA; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA hereby supports the basic tenets of the joint priorities to strengthen Native Education under the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA recognizes and supports the 100th Anniversary of Fort Lewis College as a Native American Serving Non-Tribal College; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA urges its membership tribes to be proactive in addressing these atrocities that occur throughout Indian Country and beyond.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) supports NEA’s Priority Schools Campaign and urges its members to work with students and their parents, teachers, and communities to turn these schools around.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NIEA will create an Urban Native Education Council to represent the profound issues facing Native Urban Learners.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NIEA Board members will form a working group comprised of NIEA board members and immersion school stakeholders to craft and approve a proposal for the White House concerning Native language issues, protecting language revitalization efforts especially immersion schools, and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NIEA Board members will form a working group comprised of NIEA board members and immersion school stakeholders to craft and approve a proposal for the White House concerning Native language issues, protecting language revitalization efforts especially immersion schools, and

NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association hereby supports and endorses the Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools Curriculum: Health Is Life in Balance (K-12) for all American Indian, Alaska Native and Hawaiian Native (AI/AN/HN) students, including those attending public schools, and urges adoption of the DETS K-12 curriculum throughout Native American communities, as well as the rest of the nation; and

Now therefore be it resolved that the National Indian Education Association will support the expansion of state pre-kindergarten programs to include Native American (American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian) language immersion preschool operated independently of state departments and that feed into Native American language kindergarten school programs operated by the community being served.

Now therefore be it resolved that the National Indian Education Association calls for the immediate elimination of race-based Indian logos, mascots, and names from educational institutions throughout the Nation;

Now therefore be it resolved that the National Indian Education Association will work in partnership with TEDNA to review the two TED appropriations authorizations and to develop any recommendations for substantive changes to the authorizations that increased tribal sovereignty over education to meet the needs, capacities, and specialties of TEDs; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association will support the rights of Native American communities and tribes to develop and use their indigenous languages in the reauthorization of ESEA to assure that students speaking Native American languages have access to Federally supported education; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association will support the rights of Native American communities and tribes to develop and use their Native American languages in the reauthorization of ESEA to assure that Native American students speaking Native American languages have access to Federally supported education when using and learning Native American languages in educational programs funded by the federal government; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association will support the expansion of federal programs to address the language and culture-related needs and rights of all Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians) on a broad basis through the inclusion and strengthening of special provisions to address those needs and rights in all federal legislation.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association will support the expansion of Title VI for Enhanced Assessment Instruments or other areas applicable in the reauthorization of ESEA to include contracts to such research partnerships in the development of assessment instruments in a Native American language.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association supports thepremise of the early college model initiated by fifteen Native Early College Schools in seven states to increase American Indian student high school graduation rates and the percentage of students who complete college.

Now therefore be it resolved that the National Indian Education Association reaffirms its support of Bureau-Funded schools in insisting that the DOI establishes the new negotiated rulemaking committee without further delay.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association urges the U.S. Government to fulfill its’ trust responsibility and fully fund the Federal Impact Aid to support the educational needs of Native students, parents, tribes and local education agencies.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA does hereby request an $8 million increase to ANA over the FY 2009 proposed amount of $46 million and that this $8 million along with the $2 million allocated in the President’s FY 2009 budget be used for Native language immersion and restoration programs under the Esther Martinez Act.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association will advocate and promote the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians to strengthen and reaffirm Indian Education under the No Child Left Behind legislation; and

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, NIEA supports defining graduation rates according to a common standard and the use of longitudinal data systems and individual student identifiers to follow every child’s path to graduation. NIEA also supports an NCLB accountability system that requires schools to increase their disaggregated data on graduation rates over time and to consider graduation rates on an equal footing with high quality assessments aligned to college and work readiness in determining school quality.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association requests that the interpretation given by the George W. Bush administration of the Continuing Resolution of Congress funding the government through March 6, 2009 by reversed and that programs that have continuously been funded by Congress remain funded through March 6, 2009, including all of the programs mentioned herein; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association demands that the BIA immediately come into compliance with the federal statute and fund the schools’ facilities, operations, and maintenance at 100%;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association opposes the promulgation of the performance standards until the consultation requirements are fulfilled by the Office of Head Start; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association supports a change in NCLB that all Tribes and Tribal Councils through their Tribal Education Departments will be designated as the SEA for the schools on their reservations and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating , planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating , planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians, and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians, and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning and promotion the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating , planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning and promotion the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning and promotion the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION will support an increase to Impact Aid funding under the No Child Left Behind legislation.

Now therefore be it resolved that the National Indian Education Association calls upon the United States Congress to continue supporting the rights of Native communities and tribes to develop and use their indigenous languages and that federal and public schools and other educational institutions receiving federal educational funding be held accountable for any failure to support this national policy including clarification in the imminent reauthorization of No Child Left Behind to assure that Native American students speaking Native American languages have access to Federally supported education when using and learning Native American languages in educational programs funded by the federal government;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Congress should dedicate the Federal tax revenue collected from Indian gaming per capita payments to the Department of the Interior for tribal governments in need of assistance for the following purposes:

• 25% for early childhood, elementary and secondary education, with an emphasis on after school programs;

• 25% for tribal colleges, college scholarships and post—-graduate education;

• 25% for health care, with an emphasis on children’s health care and long—-term elder care facilities; and

• 25% for tribal economic development and tribal infrastructure.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association hereby mandates that the United States Department of Education shall require in reauthorization language that each Tribal governing body shall give its consent to the respective Section 8003 (b) applications submitted by school districts and educational entities serving children on their respective reservations.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association calls upon the Congress to include Native Hawaiians and Alaska Native in amendments to appropriate sections of NCLB.

NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association will support efforts of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, to seek State Education Agency (SEA) functions, to research and develop tribal—-centered Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measures, and to infuse Native language and culture, where appropriate, into all aspects of schooling for Native students as part of No Child Left Behind Act reauthorization.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Education Association does hereby call on the States and the Federal government to collaborate, government—-to—-government, with Tribal sovereign governments in regard to certification of teachers in the areas of Tribal languages, culture, and history; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National lndian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, and

WHEREAS, The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, and

WHEREAS, The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, and

WHEREAS, The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, THE National, fudian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American fudians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, THE National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National, Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has assisted over 5,000 American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in all areas of study since 1969, and

WHEREAS, the American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) funds over 20,000 American Indian and Alaska Native children, families, and communities through over 150 tribal and American Indian grantees, and

WHEREAS, the American Indian Programs Branch within the Head Start Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) funds over 20,000 American Indian and Alaska Native children, families, and communities through over 150 tribal and American Indian grantees, and

WHEREAS, the National JOM Association is the collective voice of 275,000 JOM students and their parents/ guardians nationwide, and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

WHEREAS, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, generally requires the consent of students or parents before public schools may release records or information about students that is personally identifiable, and

WHEREAS, at least 80 tribes have tribal education departments which administer programs and functions designed to improve the quality of education and educational opportunities in Indian Country for over 600,000 American Indian and Alaska Native students, and

WHEREAS, at least 80 tribes have tribal education departments which administer programs and functions designed to improve the quality of education in Indian Country through the exercise of tribal sovereignty over education; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special education needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people; and

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 goverment has a government-to-government relationship with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes; and

WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) have worked in partnership since the 1994 tribal leaders meeting with President Clinton to develop an American Indian and Alaska Native Comprehensive Federal Indian Education Policy Statement (CFIEPS) that has been endorsed by a majority of Indian nations and organizations; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Johnson-O’Malley Program (JOM) provides supplemental educational services and programs to eligible Indian students, ages 3 through grade 12, attending pre-schools, public schools and some Indian grant schools located on or near Indian reservations; and