The Establishment of a National Internet Clearinghouse on Indian Education

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, NIEA, as the largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native educators, administrators, parents, and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education ofNative people; and

WHEREAS, through its unique political relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established education program resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives residing both on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, NIEA was established to improve and represent Indian Education across the Nation through advocacy, technical assistance, coordination and communication; and

WHEREAS, NIEA supports Native cultures and values to enable Native learners to be contributing members of their communities and to promote native control of education, and to improve educational opportunities and resources for American Indians, Alaska Natives and more recently including Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, information on available resources and technical assistance to educators of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students has greatly diminished over the past five years due to the closing of Indian Education Technical Assistance Centers and their diminished role in the Comprehensive Centers; and

WHEREAS, the Internet has revolutionized for all Americans access to untold amounts of information on innumerable topics, including Indian education; and

WHEREAS, the 31st NIEA convention theme “Tribal Traditions and Technology … Our Pathway to the 21st Century” is reflective of the organization’s mission.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION seek funds to establish a National Indian Education Association Internet Clearinghouse which will provide online access on current, past and prediction of the future of Indian education topics to Indian educators, Indian researchers, students of Indian educators and to educators of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION will establish a Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel composed of top Indian educators that will assist in structuring the policies relating to the establishment, the operation and maintenance of the National Indian Education Association Clearinghouse; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION make the establishment of the National Indian Education Association Clearinghouse a high priority to make it a reality within the next three years.

SUBMITTED BY: Stuart A. Tonemah (Kiowa/Comanche)

CERTIFICATION

I do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly considered and passed by the NIEA membership assembled at its annual convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at which a quorum was present during the meeting held October 28 – November 1, 2000.