Support of state Iegislation that recognizes the culture and history of American Indians, similar to that of Montana code 20-1-501.
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 Nai’ve 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, NIEA recognizes the importance of the inclusion of curriculum in all grades K-Higher Education that helps all students learn about the history, culture and contemporary issues of the American Indian; and
WHEREAS, NIEA recognizes the current issues of American Indians, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians cannot be adequately addressed and strategies for solutions found unless both Indians and non-Indians have an understanding of the history, culture and contemporary contributions of the Nations’ Indian people; and
WHEREAS, NIEA recognizes that the state of Montana has as part of its State Constitutional language that supports the inclusion of American Indian culture in Article X, 1 (2); and
WHEREAS, the state of Montana enacted a state law in 1999, MCA 20-1-501, that provides the state’s educational systems with guidance in implementing the legislative intent of Article X, 1 (2) with the following language in Section 1:
it is the constitutionally declared policy of this state to recognize the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians and to be committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural heritage. (2) It is the intent of the legislature that in accordance with Article X, section 1 (2), of the Montana Constitution; (a) Every Montanan, whether Indian or non-Indian, be encouraged to learn about the distinct and unique heritage of American Indians in a culturally responsive manner. (b) Every educational agency and all educational personnel will work cooperatively with Montana tribes or those tribes that are in close proximity, when providing instruction or when implementing an educational goal or adopting a rule related to the education of each Montana citizen, to include information specific to the cultural heritage and contemporary contributions of American Indians, with particular emphasis on Montana Indian tribal groups and governments. (3) It is also the intent, of sections (1-3) predicated on the belief that all school personnel should have an understanding and awareness of Indian tribes to help them relate effectively with Indian students and parents, that educational personnel provide a means by which school personnel will gain an understanding of and appreciation for the American Indian people.
WHEREAS, NIEA recognizes that this law can serve as a guide for other legislative action throughout the nation in strengthening the curriculum and services provided by the nation’s public school systems for American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians; and
‘NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association commends the state of Montana for its efforts in meeting its Constitutional mandate in Article X, 1 (2) and encourages its educational leadership (such as the offices of Public Instruction, Commissioners of Higher Education, Boards of Regents, Boards of Public Education, and local school boards throughout the nation and Montana to develop, implement, and monitor the policies and action plans that have been designed to fulfill MCA 20-1-501 with the utmost expediency.
Submitted By W. Stanley Juneau, Blackfeet.
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.