Support for the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) FY 2005 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 education needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, and

WHEREAS, NIEA is 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 Native people; and

WHEREAS, through it 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 the reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

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

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

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

WHEREAS, the Institute of American Indian Arts is expanding its educational programs and is building a Lifelong Learning Center; and

WHEREAS, IAIA l1as been challenged by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to raise matching funds in the amount of twelve million dollars; and

WHEREASj the Institute of American Indian Arts is seeking the appropriation of eight million dollars from Congress for the Lifelong Learning Center; 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 Institute of American· Indian Art’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 Six Million Dollars for core operations for Fiscal Year 2005 and Eight Million Dollars for construction of the Lifelong Learning Center. Submitted by: Institute of American Indian Arts, Sante Fe, New Mexico.

CERTIFICATION

I do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly considered and passed by the NlEA Board of Directors at its November 1-5, convention in Greensboro, North Carolina at which time a quorum was present.