NIEA Sends Letter to Administration Regarding Executive Order on Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools
On January 29, 2025, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) sent a letter to Acting Secretary Carter and Acting Attorney General McHenry regarding the implementation of the Executive Order on “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools.” The letter emphasizes the importance of Tribal consultation in shaping the “Ending Indoctrination Strategy” to ensure that state laws and locally led Tribal efforts to include Tribal history and culture in K-12 curriculum are upheld. It highlights the bipartisan support for teaching Tribal histories in public schools and the need for Tribal representation in policy decisions that impact Native students.
Letter
RE: Executive Order on Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools
Dear Acting Secretary Carter and Acting Attorney General McHenry,
On behalf of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) and the schools, educators, students, and Tribal Nations we represent, we recognize the Administration’s intent to strengthen parental authority and promote National unity. As part of these efforts we recognize the January 28, 2025 “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” intends to prevent or rescind Federal funds from being used by an ESA, SEA, LEA, elementary school, or secondary school to directly or indirectly support or subsidize the instruction, advancement, or promotion of “discriminatory equity ideology” in K-12 curriculum, instruction, programs, or activities; or K-12 teacher certification, licensing, employment, or training.
NIEA and our members advocate for local control of education and emphasize the need for community-based decision making in education. Tribal Nations agree that communities and parents are best equipped to determine the needs of our children and are strongly committed to utilizing Tribal sovereignty to educate and protect our children in a manner that is clear and responsive to each of our community’s needs. We welcome the opportunity to work alongside the Administration as partners in developing the “Ending Indoctrination Strategy,” particularly in areas such as curriculum standards, teacher certification, and professional development. It is essential that Tribal histories and cultures are taught in public schools with the input and endorsement of local Tribal Nations, parents, and state legislatures. Including Tribal representatives in task forces authorized to craft recommendations for the President ensures a well-rounded approach which uplifts local autonomy while honoring the federal trust responsibility to Indian Education.
It is vital that Tribal Nations are at the table on behalf of the close to 650,000 American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students in public schools across the United States. In many states, Tribal Nations have worked in a non-partisan fashion with members of their state legislatures to pass Tribal history laws and work with their state departments of education to implement these policies. Today, thirteen states require the teaching of Tribal Nations’ histories in K-12 schools. These thirteen states vary widely by region, demographic makeup, and political leaning, but all agree on one thing: the importance of Indian Country to the cultural identity of our Nation. Tribal Nations have a history that is woven into the fabric of American history. The passage of these polices in bipartisan states, signals American citizens’ embrace of the teaching of the history of Tribal Nations as a critical part of U.S. History. These laws promise unity amongst Tribal and state citizenries through curriculum which ensures each child has the opportunity to learn about all of the people that make this country great.
NIEA hopes to ensure the “Ending Indoctrination Strategy” protects state laws and local tribally led efforts which direct the inclusion of Tribal history and content in K-12 public school curriculum and honors the storied legacies and rich cultures of Tribal Nations. We are committed to working with the Administration in developing future strategies to enhance educational outcomes for Native students and prepare them for post-secondary success through partnerships with Tribal Nations. Future proposed strategies should recognize the sovereign authority Tribal Nations have over their local educational programming. NIEA recognizes educators experience anxiety and fear over what is taught in the classroom. Our goal is to ensure that these discussions truly reflect the unique fabric of America.
NIEA understands that this issue is time sensitive and requires swift action. We look forward participating with you on Tribal consultation and collaborating state and local policies on Native content. We are optimistic on opportunities for working with both the Administration and congress to ensuring parental authority and local control over education is preserved.
Sincerely,
Jason Dropik
Executive Director
National Indian Education Association
CC:
Tim Walberg, Chair, House Committee on Education and Workforce
Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, House Committee on Education and Workforce
Bill Cassidy, Chair, United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Bernie Sanders, Ranking Member, United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Jeff Hurd, Chair, House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs
Teresa Leger Fernandez, Ranking Member, House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs
Lisa Murkowski, Chairman, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Brian Schatz, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs