2008-11: NIEA to Support Equal Representation in Indian Country for the Negotiated Rule Committee Proposed by the BIA

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 Indian, Alaska Natives 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, in the Federal Register published October 22, 2008, the BIA is proposing to put together a negotiated rule committee to address the construction of facilities and other facility functions

WHEREAS, the BIA proposed committee has unequal representation from tribes across the United States; and

WHEREAS, the uniqueness of all tribes is inherent and the tribes demand equal representation;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association supports all tribes in their uniqueness and request that the BIA review their proposed Rule Making Committee configuration for facilities;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the National Indian Education Association requests that BIA amend their proposal in order to reach an acceptable representation from all the tribes affected by the proposed rules.