2020-01: Expanding Federal Resources and Funding for Culturally Responsive Distance and Virtual Education Options

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, technology and the internet have transformed the way that students learn in modern classrooms; and

WHEREAS, high-quality distance and virtual education options have the potential to support student growth, build culture-based academic options, connect Native language learners with fluent teachers and speakers, and expand educational and essential opportunities for new courses and subjects; and

WHEREAS, high-quality virtual and distance education requires culturally responsive curricula and lessons tailored to the unique cultural, traditional, historical, linguistic, and geographic needs of Native students; and

WHEREAS, the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Native communities highlighted current gaps in availability of culturally responsive virtual education options and health related resources for Native students; and

WHEREAS, many schools in Native communities have been forced to create solutions that retrofit traditional curricula and lesson plans into a virtual format without proper professional development, training, fiscal resources, or tools for educators, students, and families; and

WHEREAS, lack of access to distance and virtual education options and health related resources are becoming an increasingly powerful force in widening education gaps across for Native students and for historically marginalized students, inclusive of students in foster care, students in special education programs, and students experiencing homelessness; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association urges Congress to support full funding for culturally responsive distance education programs, health related resources, and professional development programs for educators teaching Native students through virtual and distance models; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NIEA until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.