RECOGNITION OF THE NATIONAL CAUCUS OF NATIVE AMERICAN STATE LEGISLATORS EDUCATION COMMITTEE

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, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA as the largest national Indian organization of American Indians, 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 its unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, the numbers and strength of Native American legislators continues to increase in state governments, and

WHEREAS, the tribal and state governments strive to work together to improve the education for tribal members on and off reservations, and

WHEREAS, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has recently created the State Tribal Relations and Caucus Services center to better serve Native American state legislators and their constituents, and

WHEREAS, NCSL has formed an Education Committee, consisting of 8 legislators to study issues surrounding tribal education.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NIEA formally encourages and recognizes the Education Committee of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators and their work to improve the education of all tribal members, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the work be done by Native American state legislators is essential to building partnerships and resolving conflicts between states and tribes regarding education issues.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that efforts to stop Federal spending cuts in the Departments of Interior, Labor, and Education and increase funding at the Federal level for important Native American programs would benefit from the strong voice of state legislators across the country.

CERTIFICATION

I do hereby certify that the following resolution was dully considered and passed by the NIEA Board of Directors on November 30, 2006 at which a quorum was present.