RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE NIEA MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH —- LED NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN NATIVE FAMILIES

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, United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) is a national organization that is dedicated to fostering the spiritual, mental, physical and social development of Native American and Alaska Native youth, and to helping build a strong, unified and self—-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement, and

WHEREAS, the National UNITY Council represents Native American and Alaska Native youth who are members of the more than 100 UNITY affiliated youth councils that operate in 34 states, and

WHEREAS, the National UNITY Council and its member youth councils are committed to taking actions to address issues such as those affecting the education of Indian and Native people that are identified to be of priority concern by Native American and Alaska Native Youth, and

WHEREAS, the National UNITY Council has taken action to address the issues that affect Indian and Native education by launching the National Initiative to Strengthen Native Families and invites and encourage others who share the common goal of strengthening families to partner with them in this important undertaking, and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION hereby recognizes the importance of the aforementioned initiative and commends the National UNITY Council for its commitment to action to address these pressing issues of National concern, and encourages its members to support the efforts of our Nation”s youth and join with them as partners in the National Initiative to Strengthen Native Families