2021-E01: In Support of Teaching the Full and Accurate History of the United States

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 Native 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 Native 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, as of July 15th, twenty-six states have introduced bills or taken steps to restrict instruction of the full and accurate history of the United States and to limit discussion of racism and sexism in the classroom; and 

WHEREAS, 11 states have enacted such bans, either through legislation or other avenues; and

WHEREAS, all students deserve access to an education that prepares them to thrive and fully exercise their social, political and economic rights in college, career and life; and

WHEREAS, attempting to silence or punish educators that refuse to omit or distort United States history undermines student success and opportunity in the classroom and beyond; and

WHEREAS, all students deserve to see themselves reflected in the story of our nation; both as builders and as those who have been shut out; and

WHEREAS, equity, diversity, and inclusivity are essential for students to develop pride in their own cultural legacies, develop self-esteem, and awaken to the ideals embodied in the respect for the cultures of their neighbors, as well as in the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, education should promote recognition and celebration of individual and group differences and similarities in order to reduce racism, homophobia, ethnic and all other forms of prejudice, and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, the understanding of current American Indian and Alaska Natives today requires knowledge of tribal sovereignty based in factual history, the United States Constitution, different perspectives of land ownership, treaties, and the federal trust responsibility to tribal nations; and  

WHEREAS, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs passed Resolution 2020-30 and Resolution 2020-38, which recognized the importance of telling the full and accurate history of Native communities in the United States, and supports the need to implement and include curriculum within our schools regarding racial injustices that continue to plague our society, and endorses the critical need to educate our next generations to recognize and celebrate our strength in our diversity; and

WHEREAS, NIEA has endorsed the statements of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (LCCHR) that have challenged the actions of states that have passed legislation restricting educators from teaching full and accurate histories in the classroom.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association rejects any legislation or actions that limit the teaching of full and accurate history of the United States, especially as it relates to American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.   

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will take immediate action to engage with state, federal, and Native leaders to ensure educators are able to teach a full and accurate history of the United States, particularly as it relates to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, without threat or punishment.

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