2014-03: Support for the Elevation of Indian Education by Creating the Department of Education Indian Education Assistant Secretary Position

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, NIEA Resolution 2005-01 establishes ongoing support for the elevation of the Office of Indian Education (OIE) Director position to an Assistant Secretary position within the Department of Education (ED) and NIEA has long held the position that an elevation of this office will strengthen Indian Education opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the National Advisory Council on Indian Education supports an elevation of the OIE Director to an Assistant Secretary of Indian Education within the Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of an Assistant Secretary of Indian Education would provide a heightened level of budget authority, policy authority, and integration of Indian education needs throughout the entire Department of Education;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association affirms its’ continued support for the establishment of an Assistant Secretary of Indian Education Office within the Department of Education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association Board and Executive Director will continue to pursue the goals of this resolution as a legislative priority in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization (ESEA); and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NIEA Board and Executive Director will also request that the Obama Administration through executive authority create the Office of Assistant Secretary position within the Department of Education and support its creation through the ESEA reauthorization.