NIEA - National Indian Education Association

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NIEA 2009 Post Convention Report

The 40th Annual NIEA Anniversary Convention was held at the Midwest Airline Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 22-25, 2009. What a better way to get to know the peoples east of the Mississippi in the Great Lakes region. Wisconsin is home to eleven federally recognized tribes and one state recognized nation; and Milwaukee is home to 10,000 of the state’s American Indians which conveniently provided an ideal site for our growing convention.

The four-day convention drew over 1,500 delegates, 225 Junior High and High School Students, and 150 exhibitors. The Milwaukee LPC committee did a great job keeping our theme front and centre: Shaping Our Future Wisdom Keepers.

Continuing Education Credit/Clock Hours were offered by the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee School of Continuing Education this year. A total of 483 (2.1) clock hours were awarded. SCE was selected due to their recognition of serving as the largest provider of noncredit continuing education in Southeastern Wisconsin, supporting workforce and economic development and personal enrichment opportunities.

A generous welcome was the first focus of this year’s convention. Wednesday evening all delegates upon arrival were invited to the President’s Welcome Reception in the Crystal Ballroom at the Host Hotel Hilton Downtown City Center. Entertainment was provided by Award-winning musician, Wade Fernandez (Menominee Indian Reservation. )

Four keynote speakers from four different disciplines came to share their expertise and expand our knowledge and one junior keynote speaker made her début. The convention kicked off with heartfelt and very special remarks by two leading founders and the first “National Indian Education Association” Board of Directors: Rosemary Ackley Christensen (Mole Lake/Bad River) and Will Antell (White Earth Ojibwe) . The original signatures of the incorporation papers were Will Antell and Rosemary Christensen. The other keynote speakers who shared their knowledge and talents: Mr. Ernest L. Stevens, Jr., Oneida Nation, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association; spoke on the importance of family and education, Dr. Marie Battise, Potlo’tek First Nations, University of Saskatchewan renewed energy in our education sytemsWinona LaDuke, Mississippi Band Anishinaabeg, White Earth Land Recovery Project lectured on the importance of our environment and sustainability. Our first time junior keynote speaker Miss Yenikhulhaka’ nyese, Leida Rodriguez, Oneida Nation, Third Grade, Hartford University Elementary gave testimony on the importance of culture and language retention.

Meet the newly elected board members: Quinton Roman Nose, Cheyenne/Araphaho Tribes of Oklahoma; Star Oosahwe Yellowfish, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee in Oklahoma, and Renee Holt, Dine’/Nez Perce/Delaware. The newly elected board officers are: President, Patricia Whitefoot; President Elect, MaryJane Oatman Wak-Wak, Vice President, Dr. Teresa Haunani Makuakane-Drechsel, Secretary, Skawenniio Barnes and Treasurer, Star Yellowfish.

Six scholarship awards were presented to the current students who demonstrated leadership qualities, maintained high academic achievement, served as role models or other students, and show creativity and commitment. Associate Award Winner: Shawn White, Associate Degree in Nursing, University of South Dakota; Bachelor Award Winners: Billy Jack Houston, Early Childhood Education, University of Milwaukee Wisconsin and Goldie Stands Over Bull, Bachelor of Arts, Yale University; Master Award Winners: Jolene Aleck, Educational Leadership & Development, Inner City Studies Program, Northeastern Illinois University and Mary Hubbell-Ansera, Higher and Post Secondary Education, Arizona State University: Doctoral Award Winner: Karla General, Juris Doctor & Masters of Arts in Sociology, Syracuse University College of Law & the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Saturday’s banquet dinner featured the annual awards ceremony as Cheryl Kulas, Oglala Lakota and Turtle Mountain Chippewa was recognized for her life long service in education and received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations! NIEA award honorees: Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley (Yupiaq) Lifetime Achievement, Denise Juneau (Mandan and Hidatsa Tribe) Educator of the Year, Doctor Cornel Pewawardy (Comanche Nation) Teacher of the Year, Elaine Peters (Menominee Indian Tribe) Elder of the Year, Joseph Medicine Crow (Crow Nation) Elder of the Year, Diane Amour (Prairie Band Potawatomi) Community Service, Brent and Kennetha Greenwood (Ponca & Cherokee, Otoe Missiouria) Parents of the Year and Bug O Nay Ge Shig School was awarded the Cultural Freedom Award. Ceremonies were kept short and sweet and the music kicked off with Micki Free Cherokee/Comanche. The evening entertainment was proudly sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. and Mark Wilson Cherokee Nation hosted the evening program.

A silent auction was conducted during the first three days of the convention with $2,800 raised. We sincerely appreciate the following individuals who donated to the NIEA Silent Auction to benefit the Native Children’s Agenda: Dr. Teresa Makuakane-Drechsel, Kerry Venegas, Denny Hurtado, Robin Butterfield, Mae Wilson, Helen Walker, Evell Perry, Mary Lou White, Katy Garcia, Sofia Forinango, Ruth Ziolkowski and Lillian Sparks. Congratulations to the big winners and thanks to all who participated.

No convention can succeed without the generous support of our sponsors and exhibitors. We had 150 exhibitors showcase their products, programs, services, and academic and employment opportunities. Your support of these vendors is very much appreciated.

2009 Resolutions. These will help guide national policy development and help establish legislative priorities. They provide guidance and direction for NIEA and others by bringing attention to issues of concern from NIEA members. The 2009 RESOLUTIONS.

The Milwaukee Local Planning Committee is comprised of a group of volunteers who donate their time and efforts to ensure our convention is successful. No group can prosper and expand without the support of its delegates. We genuinely appreciate your feedback and strive to make your experience at the next convention the best that it can be. We also challenge you to invite a colleague that hasn’t experienced the convention before or someone who hasn’t attended recently.

The 2010 NIEA Convention will be held in San Diego, California at the Town & Country Resort, October 7-10, 2010. Mary Jane Oatman Wak-Wak, President Elect will be chairing the convention as it enters the 41st Convention! The oldest and largest Indian education organization in the country continues to grow offering a four day convention with many surprises and highlights in store. Mark the dates on your calendar and plan on attending the 41st Annual Convention.