IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIVE CHILDREN’S AGENDA

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, improving the over well being of Native American children and youth with regard to their social emotional mental and physical health should be an important national priority given the current status and situation of Native children in the United States; and

WHEREAS, organizations involved with Native American children should be collaboratively involved with each other to develop strategies and implement sound cultural appropriate approaches related to the development of Native children; and

WHEREAS, educators and school communities play a pivotal role working within tribal and Indian communities to assist in the development of local partnerships, given their responsibility to provide educational services, daily contact with Native American students, and relationships with parents and families; and

WHEREAS, the well being of Native American children is a significant and central Tribal sovereignty issue. Tribal governments have a primary concern for the well being of Native American children and youth in representing the needs of parents and families and have a central role in creating collaborations and culturally appropriate approaches that can insure the future for the tribe through the education and well being of it children.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION will work with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), and other organizations to improve the social, emotional, mental and physical health of Native American children and improve the learning capability and potential of Native American children through the work of the Native Children’s Agenda which will be jointly developed by NIEA, NCAI, NIHB, NICWA and otherpartners.