Support for the Institute of American Indian Arts {IAIA) FY 2003 Federal Appropriations

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

WHEREAS, through its unique political relationship with Indian nationals 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, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is a national fine arts college devoted solely to the teaching and preservation of American Indian/ Alaska Native arts and culture; and

WHEREAS, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is a national fine arts college offering baccalaureate degrees in Museum Studies and Creative Writing and the Associate of Pine Arts degrees in 2 and 3 Dimensional arts; and

WHEREAS, IAIA has educated approximately 4,000 American Indian/ Alaska Native students since its inception in 1962; and

WHEREAS, NIEA is cognizant of the positive impact IAIA has made on the recognition of American Indian/Alaska Native cultures via the arts; and

WHEREAS, NIEA is strongly committed to the enrichment and preservation of American Indian/ Alaska culture and art, and to the continuance of IAIA; and

WHEREAS, NIEA and tribal leaders continue to support the IAIA’s Board of Trustees as it works to ensure its future.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, does hereby urge the President of the United States and Congress to fully fund the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) at a level of $5.0 million for core operation for FY 2003 and $1.5 million for construction of the Library Technology Center.

SUBMITTED BY:

CERTIFICATION

I do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly considered and passed by the NIEA Board of Directors at its October 28 – 31, 2001 meeting in Billings, Montana at which a quorum was present.