2013-12: Support of Early Learning Measures that Strengthen Native Cultures

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 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 Natives, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, the President’s Initiative on Early Education is a priority in our Native communities and is an opportunity to advance the unique linguistic and cultural identities of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA supports provisions for the promotion, protection, and use of our Native languages – American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian – at the earliest stage of child development in any federal legislation as a means to reverse language loss and that set aside funds are established for grant programs for tribes, tribal, and Native Hawaiian organizations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NIEA supports the requirement that states with significant American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian populations consult with these constituents in the development of their state plans to ensure appropriate assessments in the language of instruction, strong family/parent engagement component, and support for multiple delivery systems are included in the plans.