2010-09: Recognition of the 100th Anniversary of Forth Lewis College

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1970 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 ornon-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, all Native American children shall receive equal opportunities from thefederal government based upon the unique indigenous status, language, and culturalhistory,

WHEREAS, Fort Lewis College (FLC), located in Durango, Colorado, was created in an Agreement in which the southwest regions’ tribes ceded lands to the U.S. Federal Government, which transferred the lands to the State of Colorado in 1911 “to be maintained as an institution of learning to which Indian students will be admitted free of tuition and on an equality with white students” in perpetuity (Act of 61st Congress, 1911); and

WHEREAS, in 2011, Fort Lewis College will commemorate its 100th Anniversary as an institution of higher education and Native American Serving Non-Tribal College; and

WHEREAS, currently Fort Lewis College enrolls over 750 Native American students, free of tuition, representing 120 Tribes and Alaska Native entities which are highlighted by the following:

  • Fort Lewis College ranks first in the nation among institutions of higher education in the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to Native American students;

  • Fort Lewis College ranks first in the nation in the number of Science, Engineering, Technology, and Math (STEM) baccalaureate degrees awarded to Native American students;

  • According to the American Indian Science & Engineering Society, Fort Lewis College ranks in the top five in the nation among institutions of higher education in percent offull time Native American undergraduate students enrolled in college; and

WHEREAS, numerous American Indian and Alaska Native tribal students have pursued their college degrees at Fort Lewis College and have returned to their homelands to support theirtribal communities; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA recognizes and supports the 100th Anniversary of Fort Lewis College as a Native American Serving Non-Tribal College; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NIEA urges the President of Fort Lewis College, the State of Colorado, and the U.S. Federal government to continue its’ Native American studentoutreach, recruitment, and retention; American Indian Studies curriculum; and American Indian research initiatives in perpetuity in support of our tribalstudents.

Steven Peters