SUPPORT FOR THE INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS (IAIA) FY 2008 FEDERAL APPROPRIATION

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

WHEREAS, IAIA is a national fine arts college offering Baccalaureate and Associates degrees in Museum Studies, Creative Writing, Studio Arts and Visual Communications; and

WHEREAS, IAIA has educated over 6,000 American Indian and Alaska Native students since its inception in 1962; and

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

WHEREAS, IAIA is expanding its educational programs and is building a Center for Lifelong Education, Research, and Cultural Exchange; and

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

WHEREAS, IAIA is seeking a total appropriation of $7.5 million for core operation and $3.0 million dollars from Congress for the Center for Lifelong Education, Research, and Cultural Exchange; and

WHEREAS, NIEA is strongly committed to the enrichment and preservation of American Indian and Alaska culture and arts, 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 NIEA does hereby urge the President of the United States and Congress to fully fund the Institute of American Indians Arts (IAIA) at a level of $7.5 million for core operations for FY 2008 and $3.0 million for the construction of a Center for Lifelong Education, Research, and Cultural Exchange.

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.