A Letter from the Publisher

Vol. 2, Issue 62 October 14, 2015

Shekóli. No matter the beauty of the campus, the size who graduated from Navajo Tech; the Sequoyah Gates of the programs, or the excellence of its professors, an scholars; and the conservation and biology training of institution of higher learning is defined by its students. students at Oglala Lakota College thanks to its Ornate This week, we have attached a bonus to our newsletter: a Box Turtle Project. digital edition of our annual 48-page Special Education issue, a print version of which is being distributed to tribal Students will also find many potential avenues of study high schools, colleges and various conferences. In it, read- mentioned within these pages. Not to be missed is a high- ers will find articles on Native students who are striving ly informative piece by Dr. Dean Chavers on correcting for new levels of personal excellence. Their stories serve common missteps in essays and on applications, in ad- as tangible signs of the strength of education in Indian dition to an overview of several strong scholarships and country, and as inspiration to current students who are finally, the centerpiece of the magazine, ICTMN’s annual contemplating higher education. Tribal College Listing.

Our cover subject, Dahkota Brown, has been worthy of admiration During the year, IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com frequent- for a few years even though he is still in high school. In the eighth ly publishes instructive and illuminating articles that help shape and grade he started the successful after-school program Native Educa- describe the state of education across our many nations. There is tion Raising Dedicated Students (NERDS). In 2013 he was named no better path to the enrichment of a life than cultivating an active one of five Champions of Change by the Center for Native Ameri- mind. We must all help support the endeavors of Native educators can Youth. And, as he relates in the profile about him in this issue, he and students alike. recently helped orchestrate the introduction of legislation in Califor- NΛ ki wa, nia to ban the offensive and racist R-word and mascot in the state. �

The magazine also features other celebratory stories, including this year’s Champions of Change; a brand new class of medical professionals from the University of New Mexico; 185 satisfied students Ray Halbritter

Table of Contents 2 COMMENTARY 11 WEEK IN PHOTOS NEWS 12 WEB, EVENTS, LETTER 7 LEARNING ON THE RIVER 13 CARTOON, ALERTS 8 S ANTEE SIOUX PREPARING FOR FIRST 14 HOW DID I MISS THAT MARIJUANA RESORT 15 POW WOWS 11 10 THORPE WON’T RETURN HOME 16 BIG PICTURE JASON MORGAN EDWARDS JASON

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 2 COMMENTARY

The Dangers of about disenrollment and finding solu- kicked out. Disenrollment tions before it’s too late. Unfortunately, Tribal governments must be thought- Joseph Hamilton, chairman of the nobody in tribal leader circles is willing ful when carrying out this supreme act. Ramona Band of Cahuilla, despairs of the to talk. I fear that if we don’t talk and, Due process is key. Tribes should develop current trend toward rapid disenrollment more importantly, take some form of ac- clear laws, policies, and procedures well without thought of the consequences: tion, we run the real risk that Congress in advance of any disenrollment. Then will exercise its “plenary” power over they should honor those rules and proce- I strongly believe in tribal sovereignty, tribes and decide who is Indian—an idea dures, even if they don’t get the outcomes which does include a tribe’s right to dis- almost too scary to consider. they want. That is sovereignty. enroll members. However, disenrollment Disenrollment should be executed Failure to take these steps will mean is not an innate right of tribal peoples. It only in the most extreme cases. Tribal that every Indian faces the threat of not was foisted upon tribes by the federal leaders who are considering disenrolling being an Indian. More tribes will become government in order to extinguish us. members must keep in mind what those like country clubs, instead of families, The point is not that we can’t hold individuals and the entire tribe stands where members can be added or ex- contradictory views about this issue, but to lose. They need to recognize that the cluded at the whim of a governing board. instead that we had better start talking entire tribe suffers when members are http://bit.ly/1Gv6qdn 0

Hands Off Native Women’s who want to defund Planned Parenthood and 1970s, the Indian Health Service Wombs and who feel they know what is best for deceptively sterilized a large percent- The GOP’s latest effort to defund Planned women generally. age of Native women between the ages Parenthood, highlighted by recent dis- Indian Health Services is the primary of 15 and 44. The doctors failed to pro- plays of videos ostensibly showing its of- health care provider for most Native vide women with necessary informa- ficials discussing the sale of fetal tissue, is people. Yet although the U.S. has a trust tion regarding sterilization; distributed arguably racist, says Gyasi Ross (Black- responsibility to provide health care improper consent forms; used coercion feet Nation/Suquamish Territories): for Native people, privileged legislators to get signatures on those forms; and largely get to choose what type of health lacked the appropriate waiting period As a matter of legislative fact, the same care they’ll provide. God forbid that their (at least seventy-two hours) between the privileged white men who love making politics clash with the health care that signing of a consent form and the surgi- financial decisions about all women’s those Native women need. There are spe- cal procedure. wombs have an inordinate amount of cific examples of times when the repro- The proposed GOP shutdown of control over Native women’s wombs in ductive rights (human rights!) of Native Planned Parenthood, and the desire to in- particular. That is because Indian Health women have clashed with the politics of terfere with women’s wombs, is uniquely Services funding and priorities are dic- those privileged legislators. Republican, and it affects Native women tated by those same privileged white men Specifically, as recently as the 1960s uniquely. http://bit.ly/1Vz1onh 0

The Threat To Yucca have informed the Department of Energy upon Newe practicing traditional religious Mountain (DOE) that our land and people are being lifeways that require water for praying, Ian Zabarte, Principal Man for For- destroyed by the development of Yucca cleansing and healing—with no response. eign Affairs of the government of Newe Mountain as a high-level nuclear waste The cultural resource study protocol Sogobia, opposes a federal proposal to repository. of “cultural triage” justified for use in the store nuclear waste under Yucca Moun- The central issue that affects the Newe Yucca Mountain site characterization tain in Nevada: results from the destruction of our prop- process is an attack. Triage is used in re- erty, impairing our treaty reserved rights sponse to natural disaster or declared war. We have informed the Department of to use our lands and life-giving water. There is no war or natural disaster here the Interior that Newe Sogobia is not for Nothing in the Treaty of Ruby Valley ever that might require its use. What was cre- sale and that Yucca Mountain is not Bu- contemplated the destruction of Newe ated and used by the DOE is an immoral reau of Land Management Land. We have Sogobia by American nationals through act forced upon the ethnic Western Sho- informed the Environmental Protection their agency, the U.S. government. I and shone people for the benefit of the U.S. Agency that the environmental radiation many Newe have expressed alarm at the and the profit of the nuclear industry. protection standards for Yucca Moun- systematic policies and practices that Our intent is to stop, correct and pre- tain do not protect Newe Sogobia. We place a disproportionate burden of risk vent these acts. http://bit.ly/1Rqsc8K 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 3 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO OBJECTIONS

In 1990, the Ramah Navajo Chapter brought suit against the Government in the United States District Court of the District of New Mexico claiming that the Department of the Interior (DOI) improperly calculated indirect cost rates for Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93-638, as amended (ISDA) contractors. In 1993, the District Court certified a class of all Tribes and tribal organizations that have BIA ISDA contracts or compacts. In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that the plaintiffs’ claims covering fiscal year 1994 and later years were not barred by the government’s appropriations law defense. Salazar v. Ramah Navajo Chapter, 132 S. Ct. 2181 (2012). Following nearly three years of settlement discussions, including final negotiations facilitated by Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen B. Molzen, the parties have agreed upon the proposed Final Settlement Agreement now pending before the Court.

The parties have agreed to a proposed Final Settlement Agreement (FSA), which requires Defendants to pay $940,000,000 to settle the remaining claims in this lawsuit. The settled claims are for alleged underpayments of contract support costs by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and/or the Office of Self Governance (OSG) under ISDA during fiscal years 1994 through 2013. Your Tribe or tribal organization may be a Class Member eligible to share in this settlement. The settlement is not final until The Court will conduct a hearing at the Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 421 Gold SW, Sixth Floor, Albuquerque, New Mexico at 9:00 o'clock a.m. on approved by the Court. January 20, 2016, at which time the Court will hear Objections, if any, to the settlement and fee application and thereafter render a ruling approving or declining to SUMMARY OF SETTLEMENT TERMS approve the settlement, and acting upon the fee application.Persons intending to appear at or attend the hearing are advised to so inform the Court and to reconfirm the date, time and place of the hearing by contacting the Clerk of Court before traveling to Albuquerque. Under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court advises you as follows: DEADLINES 1. The Class consists of those Indian tribes and organizations that have entered into contracts with BIA or self-governance funding agreements with OSG under ISDA at any time between FY 1994 and FY 2013. The Court and counsel must receive any Objections or other motions or applications for relief no later than November 19, 2015, 45 days after the dissemination of this Notice. 2. Upon payment by the Defendants of the settlement amount, the Class Counsel will be deemed to have fully released the Defendants from all settled claims as to underpayment of contract support costs, both indirect and direct, for FY 1994 through FY 2013. APART FROM FILING OBJECTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR THE CLERK’S OFFICE ON ANY SUBSTANTIVE MATTER DEALING WITH THIS NOTICE EXCEPT TO CONFIRM THE DATE OF THE FAIRNESS HEARING. 3. Each eligible Class Member will be entitled to share in the net settlement amount remaining after the deduction of (1) attorneys’ fees and costs; and (2) funds for a reserve account to cover certain expenses.

4. Each eligible Class Member’s share has been predetermined according to a methodology set forth in the Final Settlement Agreement.

5. Each Class Member will be required to file a claim on a form to be provided by the Settlement Administrator. Unclaimed amounts exceeding $10,000,000 will be repaid to the United States Treasury.

6. Class Counsel have applied to the Court for an award of attorneys’ fees of 8.5% of the settlement amount for achieving this final settlement. The Government agrees that an 8.5% fee is fair and reasonable for achieving this settlement and supports the application for attorneys’ fees. Class Counsel have also applied for reimbursement of estimated costs to date of $1,158,222.01 to be paid out of the settlement amount.

7. Class members that entered the Class since March 27, 2002 (identified on Table 2, at pages 21-22, of Appendix 2 to the Final Settlement Agreement, ECF No. 1306-2, Sept. 16, 2015), may request exclusion from the Class by filing a Notice of Exclusion with the Court on or before November 19, 2015. If a Class Member is excluded, that Class Member’s share of the Settlement Amount will be retained by the Government and the Settlement Amount will be reduced accordingly.

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 4 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO OBJECTIONS

RAMAH NAVAJO CHAPTER, OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE, and PUEBLO OF ZUNI, Any Class Member that wishes to object to the proposed settlement or fee application must file a Notice of Intention to Appear and Object (Objection) with the Clerk of for themselves and on behalf of a class of persons similarly situated, the Court and deliver it to all listed Counsel no later than November 19, 2015, and must appear at the fairness hearing described in this Notice. If more than one Plaintiffs, vs. SALLY JEWELL, Secretary of the Interior, et al., Defendants. Class Member makes the same objection, the Court may designate one of them to present the objection at the hearing. Objections must be sent to the Clerk of Court, No. 1:90-CV-00957-JAP/KBM 333 Lomas, NW, #270, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102. Each Objection must include (i) a reference to the case number, “No. 90-CV-0957;” (ii) a statement of each reason for the Objection; (iii) the specific ground(s), if any, for each reason, including any legal support, evidence, papers or briefs the Class Member wishes the Court SUMMARY NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT to consider; (iv) the person or persons who will present the Objection at the hearing; and (v) the signature of the responsible official or attorney for the Class Member making the Objection. TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE RAMAH CLASS: PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. Objections must also be sent to the following attorneys: IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT A PROPOSED FINAL SETTLEMENT Michael P. Gross James D. Todd, Jr. AGREEMENT IN THE ABOVE-REFERENCED CASE. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONTAIN Lead Class Counsel Counsel for Defendants ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PROPOSED M. P. GROSS LAW FIRM, P.C. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, CIVIL DIVISION FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. 460 St. Michael’s Drive, Suite 401 Federal Programs Branch THE COMPLETE AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ITS APPENDICES, THE JOINT MOTION FOR Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505-7602 20 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THAT AGREEMENT, AND THE APPLICATION FOR Telephone: (505) 995-8066 Washington, DC 20530 ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS MAY BE FOUND AT: . Fax: (505) 989-1096 Telephone: (202) 514-3378 QUESTIONS MAY BE ADDRESSED TO CLASS COUNSEL. E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (202) 616-8470 E-mail: [email protected] C. Bryant Rogers In 1990, the Ramah Navajo Chapter brought suit against the Government in the United States District Court of the District of New Mexico claiming that the Department of Co-Class Counsel: Lloyd B. Miller the Interior (DOI) improperly calculated indirect cost rates for Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93-638, as amended (ISDA) contractors. In VANAMBERG, ROGERS, YEPA, ABEITA & WORKS, LLP Co-Class Counsel 1993, the District Court certified a class of all Tribes and tribal organizations that have BIA ISDA contracts or compacts. In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that the P. O. Box 1447 SONOSKY, CHAMBERS, SACHSE, MILLER & MUNSON, LLP plaintiffs’ claims covering fiscal year 1994 and later years were not barred by the government’s appropriations law defense. Salazar v. Ramah Navajo Chapter, 132 S. Ct. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-1447 900 West Fifth Avenue, Suite 700 2181 (2012). Following nearly three years of settlement discussions, including final negotiations facilitated by Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen B. Molzen, the parties Telephone: (505) 988-8979 Anchorage, Alaska 99501 have agreed upon the proposed Final Settlement Agreement now pending before the Court. Fax: (505) 983-7508 Telephone: (907) 258-6377 The parties have agreed to a proposed Final Settlement Agreement (FSA), which requires Defendants to pay $940,000,000 to settle the remaining claims in this lawsuit. E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (907) 272-8332 The settled claims are for alleged underpayments of contract support costs by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and/or the Office of Self Governance (OSG) under ISDA during fiscal years 1994 through 2013. Your Tribe or tribal organization may be a Class Member eligible to share in this settlement. The settlement is not final until The Court will conduct a hearing at the Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 421 Gold SW, Sixth Floor, Albuquerque, New Mexico at 9:00 o'clock a.m. on approved by the Court. January 20, 2016, at which time the Court will hear Objections, if any, to the settlement and fee application and thereafter render a ruling approving or declining to SUMMARY OF SETTLEMENT TERMS approve the settlement, and acting upon the fee application.Persons intending to appear at or attend the hearing are advised to so inform the Court and to reconfirm the date, time and place of the hearing by contacting the Clerk of Court before traveling to Albuquerque. Under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court advises you as follows: DEADLINES 1. The Class consists of those Indian tribes and organizations that have entered into contracts with BIA or self-governance funding agreements with OSG under ISDA at any time between FY 1994 and FY 2013. The Court and counsel must receive any Objections or other motions or applications for relief no later than November 19, 2015, 45 days after the dissemination of this Notice. 2. Upon payment by the Defendants of the settlement amount, the Class Counsel will be deemed to have fully released the Defendants from all settled claims as to underpayment of contract support costs, both indirect and direct, for FY 1994 through FY 2013. APART FROM FILING OBJECTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR THE CLERK’S OFFICE ON ANY SUBSTANTIVE MATTER DEALING WITH THIS NOTICE EXCEPT TO CONFIRM THE DATE OF THE FAIRNESS HEARING. 3. Each eligible Class Member will be entitled to share in the net settlement amount remaining after the deduction of (1) attorneys’ fees and costs; and (2) funds for a reserve account to cover certain expenses.

4. Each eligible Class Member’s share has been predetermined according to a methodology set forth in the Final Settlement Agreement.

5. Each Class Member will be required to file a claim on a form to be provided by the Settlement Administrator. Unclaimed amounts exceeding $10,000,000 will be repaid to the United States Treasury.

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 5 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

Susan Taffe Reed Out As Dartmouth’s Native Program Director Portland Says ‘No’ To Columbus Day Susan Taffe Reed, whose appointment last month as Native Pro- by jacqueline keeler gram (NAP) Director at Dartmouth College sparked widespread The city of Portland, Oregon last week joined a growing controversy, has been reassigned from that post, the college has number of cities that have dispensed with celebrating Co- announced. lumbus Day. On October 7, the city council voted unani- The announcement was delivered via an email to students on mously to designate the second day in October as Indigenous October 1 by Vice Provost for Student Affairs Inge-Lise Ameer. Peoples Day. “We recognize that the distraction of media coverage and ques- In testimony before the city council, Native representatives tions about her appointment have been challenging for all you,” and human rights advocates spoke in favor of the renaming, read the email. “While Susan remains an employee of the Col- citing the various atrocities visited upon the New World by lege, we have made other arrangements to support the Native European colonization. The council resolution was a col- American Program going forward.” laborative effort among many local Native American lead- Taffe Reed was widely touted as the president of the Eastern ers and organization, including the Native American Youth Delaware Nation. However, despite its name, the organization is and Family Center (NAYA) and the Confederated Tribes of not a federally recognized tribe. Rather, it is a 501(c)3 nonprofit Grand Ronde. entity that allows non-Natives to join “as social members.” Taffe The tribal chairman, Reyn Leno, reminded the city council Reed was never accused of misrepresenting her background or that his tribe signed the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855, credentials. Nonetheless, they proved incompatible with the which ceded the land that the city now occupies. “This is a leadership of one of the country’s preeminent collegiate Native very historic and moving day,” he said. “This is a first step for- American programs; Taffe Reed was widely accused of being a ward and we just need to keep going in a positive direction.” “fake Indian.” “Growing up I was never taught the real truth in school,” It is not clear in what capacity Taffe Reed will continue at actor Dyami Thomas (Klamath/Leech Lake Ojibway) told Dartmouth. The primary contacts for Native American Program the city council. “We were taught to praise Columbus for students will be NAP Coordinator Kianna Burke, a 2012 Dart- his discovery. It’s time for all people to learn the actual truth mouth graduate with a degree in Native American Studies, and about what really happened. Something so brutal should Interim Undergraduate Dean Jeremy Guardiola. never be disguised as heroic.” Later, he told Indian Country Among Taffe Reed’s critics were Dr. Nicky Michael, a tribal Today Media Network, “It was pretty awesome; it was such a councilwoman for the Delaware Tribe of Indians in Oklahoma. blessing to see everyone come out and actually support the “Her [Taffe Reed’s] identification and your promotion of her as mayor, the commissioners.” a Delaware is appropriation and cultural theft of our language, Other cities that no longer observe “Columbus Day” in- culture and identity,” she told Dartmouth officials. “I am sad- clude Berkeley, California; Seattle, Washington; Minneapo- dened, disturbed and shocked.” http://bit.ly/1Q7nlbz 0 lis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Lawrence, Kansas; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. http://bit.ly/1VHiHb1 0

New Member Proposed for of 1988. The third seat, of vice chair, has mermeyer was deputy chief of staff to National Indian Gaming been vacant since January 2013. the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs at Commission The NIGC may operate without issue the Interior Department. He was named E. Sequoyah Simermeyer (Coharie) has as long as either the chair or vice chair to the National Center for American In- been formally proposed as an associate positions are seated. It is also required dian Enterprise Development’s “40 Un- member of the National Indian Gaming that at least two of its members be mem- der 40” list in 2011. Commission (NIGC), the regulatory bers of federally recognized tribes and If appointed, Simermeyer will serve body for the $28.5 billion tribal gaming from different political parties. a three-year term. His proposed ap- industry. Simermeyer’s proposal was Simermeyer has served as counsel to pointment, which does not require full announced in the Federal Register on Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), chair- Senate confirmation, is undergoing a September 30. man of the Senate Committee on Indian 30-day comment period that ends Oc- For the past five months, the NIGC Affairs, for the past year. He has helped tober 30. has been operated solely by its chairman, draft legislative proposals and committee The NIGC is responsible for regu- Jonodev Chaudhuri (Muskogee). If ap- reports, prepare oversight and legislative lating the more than 450 Indian gam- proved, Simermeyer will fill the second hearings, and advised Barrasso on sev- ing facilities associated with nearly of three NGIC seats that are required eral issues pertaining to Indian country. 242 tribes across 28 states. http://bit. by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Prior to joining Barrasso’s staff, Si- ly/1JXKubh 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 6 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

Tribes Propose Joint Management Effort For Bears Ears Monument In Tribal Victory, Idaho Supreme Court Rules Instant Horse Racing Machines Illegal BY ANNE MINARD BY JACK MCNEEL A coalition of several Four Corners-area tribes is proposing an initiative to oversee the 1.9 million-acre Bears Ears National “Instant horse racing machines” have been declared illegal Monument in what would be the first wholly collaborative land in Idaho by the state’s supreme court, heartening the Coeur management effort between Native Americans and the federal d’Alene Tribe, which had opposed what it regarded as legal ir- government. regularities in the matter. The Bears Ears are majestic twin plateaus that rise above pris- Only three locations had installed the machines before the tine landscapes between Moab, Utah and the Arizona border. The ruling came down last month. But if the current law govern- area, filled with historic homes, villages, granaries and ancient ing use of the machines had remained in place, it could have trails, has long figured in the histories of numerous tribes. It is still allowed one such location in each of Idaho’s 44 counties—with used today, especially by Navajo and Ute people, for the gathering no limit on the number of machines at any location. This could of herbs, medicines and firewood. However, increased visitation have seriously affected Idaho’s tribal casinos. and damage to some of the most sacred sites within the proposed The case began over two years ago, when the Idaho legisla- monument threatens its cultural and spiritual integrity. ture voted yes on the machines. But when the machines were Thus, the Bear Ears Coalition was formed on July 17; it now installed, they proved to be different from those shown to the includes representatives from the Navajo Nation, the Zuni Nation, legislature. In fact, they bore an uncanny resemblance to slots, and the Hopi, Northern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes. The which are illegal under the state constitution. coalition is devising a blueprint for government-to-government The legislature thereupon declared the machines illegal by relations and collaborative decision-making that would govern all a supermajority margin in both houses. Gov. Butch Otter ve- aspects of running the monument. The group expects to propose toed the legislative bill; however, he failed to return his veto to a Presidential Proclamation in mid-October. the senate within the five-day limit required by law. The bill “All of our tribes have said we want to push the envelope,” said should have immediately become law, but the veto was allowed Eric Descheenie, spokesman for Navajo Nation President Russell to stand. Thus, instant horse racing machines were allowed to Begaye and co-chair of the coalition. “We’re tired of consultation. continue, at which point the Coeur d’Alene Tribe took the case We’re tired of ‘advisory.’” to court. “In the past, the tribes have been separate on various issues,” “We are very pleased,” said Coeur d’Alene Tribal Chairman said Willie Grayeyes, Utah Diné Bikéyah’s chairman. “With this Chief James Allan of the decision. “This pivotal decision reaf- project we stand together, on common ground.” firms that even Idaho’s highest elected officials must follow the The effort has garnered support from the All-Pueblo Council constitution. The court is upholding a law that was passed by a of Governors, which includes the leaders from 20 pueblos in New supermajority of both the Idaho Senate and the House of Rep- Mexico and Texas, along with numerous conservation groups. resentatives. This is exactly why our government has checks and http://bit.ly/1jcKEq2 0 balances in place.” http://bit.ly/1McutQv 0

Severe Human Rights “Challenges include but are not lim- the government to address the problems Violations Are Found in ited to the lack of adequate implemen- mentioned, including loss of territory Paraguay tation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights to and lack of prior consultation. Citing at BY RICK KEARNS lands, territories and resources; obstacles least 10 government departments and Indigenous people in Paraguay have to Indigenous Peoples’ access to justice agencies that are providing health, edu- been attacked, forced off their lands and remedy; the government’s failure cation, food, family and legal services to and, in some cases, subjected to enslave- to comply with its duty to consult; and most of the 711 indigenous communi- ment and human trafficking, according Indigenous Peoples’ general situation of ties in Paraguay, he also noted the work to a report issued by the United Nations poverty, dispossession and insufficient of the National Paraguayan Indigenous Special Rapporteur on the Rights of In- access to adequate social services,” the Institute in providing general advocacy digenous Peoples. report stated. services. The 24-page report, published in Au- On September 22, Juan Miguel Gon- The report was based on interviews gust by Victoria Tauli Corpuz, found zalez Biboloni, Director of Human conducted by Tauli-Corpuz among in- that many human rights abuses contin- Rights in Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign digenous communities, activists, teach- ue to plague the indigenous population Relations, formally acknowledged the re- ers, workers’ groups, judges, government “despite Paraguay’s solid legal framework port at the U.N.’s Human Rights Council and business officials, representatives with the recognition of the pre-existence in Geneva, Switzerland. He pointed to of non-governmental organizations, of Indigenous Peoples in the country and ongoing efforts by educational, health and other individuals and associations. their fundamental rights.” and indigenous rights departments in http://bit.ly/1hsvtqZ 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 7 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY Learning On The River

An education about a special waterway BY ALYSA LANDRY

Bottom Line: For thousands of years, in- ing classroom,” Johnson said. “The rivers, river has a watershed that covers more digenous people in Oregon and Northern forests and people of the Klamath are the than 12,600 miles. That area includes the California have relied on the Klamath ultimate teachers.” native lands of several tribes. In Cali- River. Today, an innovative college pro- Sixty-four students majoring in biology, fornia, the Yurok, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, gram is exploring it as “living classroom.” wildlife, environmental science or zool- Quartz Valley and Resighini Rancheria ogy are enrolled in this year’s Klamath reside near the river, while the Modoc Federally designated as a “wild and Connection; organizers hope this pilot and Klamath live along the river in Or- scenic river,” the Klamath River egon. flows 260 miles from south-central But the river is in danger. Dams Oregon, cutting through the Cas- in the upper basin have led to water cade Mountain Range and emptying quality issues downstream, includ- into the Pacific Ocean on Califor- ing a marked decrease in salmon. nia’s coast. The second largest river The Environmental Protection in California, the Klamath has long Agency has classified portions of the served as a major artery for Native Klamath as “impaired” because of subsistence, transportation and cer- the presence of toxic algae. emonies. It has also accommodated In 2002 alone, as many as 70,000 trappers, gold miners, settlers, farm- adult Chinook salmon were killed by ers and anglers. disease that was caused when farm- Now college students are using it ers and ranchers diverted too much as well. Starting this year, freshmen river water during a drought year. at Humboldt State University are Klamath Connection students will embarking on a program designed study this disaster, believed to be the to help them get up close and per- largest fish kill in the history of the sonal with the Klamath. American West. The program, called Klamath “The river is in a pretty bad state Connection, is a new, place-based right now,” said Chook Chook Hill- curriculum that takes students out man, a water quality technician and of the classroom and deposits them member of the Karuk Tribe. “We’ve on the riverbanks, where they take been narrowly dodging catastrophe water samples and learn from tribal since the fish kill. We’ve just been experts about the river’s history and putting stopgap measures in place to its current issues. keep it from getting really bad.” “The goal is for incoming fresh- Hillman worked with Humboldt man to make connections with the students during a summer immer- river as a sense of place,” said Amy Chook Chook Hillman shows how to take water samples. sion session held ahead of the fall Sprowles, assistant professor of bio- semester. The four-day session in- logical sciences. “Then, by studying the program will grow in the coming years. cluded camping along the river and visits river and the biological and chemical as- Although only a handful of the students with scientists from the Yurok and Karuk pects of it, they will have a true connec- are Native, the program focuses on the tribes. Students also took water samples tion to their classwork.” Native connections to the river. they will analyze throughout the semester. Sprowles, along with wildlife professor “We have in the program emphasized Hillman hopes students emerge from Matt Johnson, developed the program Native groups, their cultures and the sci- the program dedicated to careers in the with funding from a $4.6 million grant. ence and ecological knowledge their sci- STEM fields and specifically qualified to It was split among eight California State entists have been working on,” Sprowles help the Klamath River recover. University campuses and earmarked for said. “We are intentionally working with “Our people have always lived close helping students complete degrees in tribes to broaden the perspective of our to the river, so we try to get people to the science, technology, engineering and students and how they think about the understand what it means,” he said. “It’s math (STEM) fields. r i v e r.” our church. It’s our grocery store. It’s our

“The Klamath Basin is the ultimate liv- Called the “Everglades of the West,” the school.” http://bit.ly/1LlpeRU 0 UNIVERSITY STATE HUMBOLDT

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 8 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY Santee Sioux Preparing For First Marijuana Resort

National and tribal trends will comingle in new venue by sarah sunshine manning

The first marijuana plants in the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe grow facility are shown here seven days after planting.

Bottom Line: Many tribes are embracing that has something like this.” In December 2014, the Justice Depart- the Justice Department’s open memoran- The Santee Sioux legalized the sale and ment issued a now famous memorandum dum on marijuana. One tribe in South use of marijuana on tribal land in June, the allowing tribal nations to grow and sell Dakota is embracing it—and then some. first tribe in South Dakota to do so. Now, marijuana. As long as tribes meet the same in promoting and purveying cannabis to guidelines as do states that have opted for This coming New Year’s Eve, the Flan- all comers, they are riding a wave of lib- legalization, the memo said, federal pros- dreau Santee Sioux Tribe will be opening eralized drug attitudes and the prospect of ecutors will not enforce federal marijuana its latest venture on its reservation in Flan- economic growth through pot. laws. dreau, South Dakota—a smoking lounge “When completed, this economic de- Like many other tribes, the Flandreau complete with a VIP section, a bar with velopment project will help to create many Santee Sioux have seized on this memo as alcohol, live music and food. important additional new jobs and in- an opportunity to assert tribal sovereignty And in this particular lounge, marijuana crease economic stability for the tribe and and to capitalize on a valuable prospect to will be openly sold and smoked. For the its many members,” said Reider. The tribe diversify its economy. Santee Sioux are preparing to unveil what is estimates that its marijuana resort could in effect the nation’s first marijuana resort. generate up to $2 million a month, which * * * “We want it to be an adult playground,” it hopes to direct to youth projects, culture tribal president Anthony Reider told CBS and language programs, and mental health Marijuana is among the fastest grow-

News. “There’s nowhere else in America facilities. ing industries in the nation. Currently, it WESTON SARAH COURTESY

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 9 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY is legal to purchase recreational marijua- can be subjected to genetic testing to de- During boarding schools, our way of life na in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Wash- termine its provenance. was outlawed, and so many of our own ington, and the District of Columbia. The December 31 opening of the facil- people assumed it was bad. When mari- Many more states have decriminalized ity is likely to be a closed event, limited juana is decriminalized, that stigma will marijuana possession. Medical marijua- to the first 1,000 guests who purchase also fall away.” na, at present, is legal in 24 states. And as tickets. As of the end of September, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal mem- USA Today recently reported, 11 states “about 100 people have already called to ber and documentary filmmaker Sarah are likely to legalize recreational mari- say they’re coming,” said Flandreau San- Weston is being tasked with filming juana soon. tee Sioux tribal attorney Seth Pearman. the groundbreaking progression of the But even though marijuana is gain- Other tribes are also slated to visit the marijuana venture. “In documenting the ing greater acceptance nationally, the grow facility and resort site, and many process,” she said, “what I am finding is Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe’s venture more are expressing interest. that the marijuana issue is bringing out still faces considerable legal hurdles: Thirty-one of the 60 cannabis strains other issues in the community that were Marijuana remains illegal in the state of that will ultimately be offered will be already there—for many, a veiled attitude South Dakota. So, to guide their venture, available for the New Year’s Eve un- of racism toward tribal members.” the tribe has contracted with the Den- veiling. Among them will be varieties While filming and conducting inter- ver, Colorado-based marijuana company with such colorful names as “Girl Scout views, Weston encountered community Monarch America, Inc. Cookies,” “Aurora,” “Shark,” and “Green members who have shared incidents of Navigating the unique jurisdictional Spirit.” The plants will be untouched by backlash since tribal marijuana legaliza- issues while maximizing tribal sover- pesticides and heavy metals. tion. They have cited harassment from eignty has been an arduous process. “It’s the cleanest marijuana you can city law enforcement, and some tribal With many South Dakota state officials get,” said Jonathan Hunt. members who held positions of influ- are leery of the project, the Santee Sioux ence in the city of Flandreau are coin- are striving for full transparency. There- * * * cidentally being removed or asked to fore, the tribe has invited state officials resign. (The city of Flandreau is largely to tour not only the marijuana lounge, Behind this budding enterprise, there non-tribal land, and tribal members are which is still under construction, but are competing visions of tribal indepen- in the minority.) also the adjacent dispensary and the dence and wariness about growing pot “Some people don’t accept change grow facility. for profit. well,” said Council member Kenny The state-of-the-art facility tracks ev- “Aside from making money, this is Weston, “and some others do.” ery plant with a bar code, from seed to about sovereignty,” said Flandreau San- As for any general fears associated germination to consumption. Full audits tee Sioux tribal council member Kenny with the new venture, Jonathan Hunt can be conducted at any time. “This is as Weston. “We have sovereignty and we dismissed them. clean and professional as it can get,” said have to assert it. The goal for many tribes “The fears are government scare tac- Jonathon Hunt, a cultivation expert and is to become self-sustaining. Revenue tics,” he said. “We welcome anybody to vice president of Monarch America. from the marijuana venture will help us do their own research. There has already All marijuana on the premises will be to get closer to this.” been a 5-million-person experiment in dispensed and smoked in the marijuana As for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Colorado. Fears of crime and teen use of lounge, which will be open only to pa- community at large, a recent survey in- marijuana in Colorado—none of them trons 21 and over. Only one gram at a dicates that some tribal members do not came true. Nobody has died as a result of time will be dispensed per individual; agree with the venture. However, a ma- marijuana consumption. It is impossible the price will be $12.50 to $15 per gram. jority of the tribe supports it. to overdose, and crime actually declined Subsequent grams will be dispensed only “Alcohol and gambling are already in Colorado.” after the package with bar code from the here,” said Weston. “When casinos were For the Flandreau Santee Sioux, the previous gram is returned. Lockers on- a new option for tribes, many feared that financial prospects of marijuana sales site will store pre-purchased marijuana they would bring organized crime and trump any legal or social risks of getting and personal pipes. A shuttle service will prostitution. This never happened.” The into the marijuana business. However, be provided to prevent those who par- same risks involved with driving away the anticipated economic impact will take from driving while under the influ- from the marijuana resort while under only be proved over time. Until then, the ence. the influence are virtually no different tribe is emphasizing the tribal sovereign- Tribal officials and Monarch America than driving away from a bar, Weston ty of the venture. are also prepared to prevent marijuana argued. “If you disagree with marijuana, “We encourage other tribes to jump on from being illegally smuggled out of the just don’t come, just as others choose not board, band together, and back each other facility. In the event that pot is confiscat- to frequent bars or casinos.” up on this,” said Kenny Weston. “We need ed either within the Flandreau city limits He added, “The fear and stigma asso- to look ahead, and be prepared to help or in surrounding areas, the contraband ciated with marijuana is all propaganda. our people.” http://bit.ly/1KY1C4o 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 10 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY Thorpe Won’t Return Home

Remains will stay in Pennsylvania BY HARLAN MCKOSATO

Bottom Line: More than 60 years after tribe and the Thorpe family appealed the in general in our country’s history for the Olympic legend Jim Thorpe died, he will decision to the Supreme Court, unsuc- traditions and religious beliefs of Ameri- by all indications remain interred far cessfully. can Indians.” from the place of his birth. The high court’s decision on October “Bill and Richard [Thorpe] have sought 5 to deny the appeal has made for bitter to remedy this great injustice for most of The long-running attempt to return feelings. their adult lives,” said Ward. “They were Olympic hero Jim Thorpe to his Oklaho- “Jim Thorpe never set foot in the Bor- young men at the time of their father’s ma birthplace apparently ended last week ough of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, and funeral. They saw law enforcement show when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to never wanted to be buried there,” said up on Sac and Fox Indian land and forc- hear an appeal by his Sac and Fox Nation the plaintiffs’ attorney, Steve Ward. “He ibly remove their father’s casket and they and his family to repatriate were really helpless.” his remains. “There was a big crowd,” Thorpe, who won gold recalled Bill Thorpe, now medals in the pentathlon 87, of that incident. “We and decathlon at the 1912 were at a dinner table fin- Olympic Games in Stock- ishing a farewell dinner to holm, died in 1953; his third Dad, when [Patsy] along wife, Patricia (“Patsy”), ar- with the police and the ranged for his interment in mortuary people took his a borough that now bears body. We tried to stop them his name in Carbon County, but we really didn’t have Pennsylvania. His descen- the rights. We let her [Pat- dants and his Nation have sy] know that we were not battled that decision for happy with the decision she years, arguing that Thorpe was making. We were going should be laid to rest near to put him to rest the next his relatives in what was, d ay.” at the time he was born in Ward argued that the lan- 1887, designated “Indian guage of NAGPRA provid- Territory.” ed for a repatriation process “It is sad news,” said Bill that was never completed in Thorpe, one of Thorpe’s The remains of Jim Thorpe will not be repatriated. this case. remaining sons, of the Su- “The Third Circuit es- preme Court’s decision. “I was very dis- was shopped around the country in a sentially short-circuited the processes appointed. I believe the Supreme Court very macabre bidding effort to bury him under NAGPRA,” he said. “I respectfully should have looked at this a little bit clos- in a place that would provide financially disagree with their decision that it would er and given us a reading on it. I don’t for his non-Indian third wife. No one be ‘absurd’ to repatriate this American believe they did. … That’s what hurts.” disputes he was buried there as part of Indian man as intended by the statute. Thorpe’s sons and the Sac and Fox Na- a very grandiose tourism and economic I cannot understand why the people of tion filed their case in the Middle District development scheme that was never re- [the borough of] Jim Thorpe are not hap- of Pennsylvania in 2010, invoking the alized.” py to work with the sons of Jim Thorpe to Native American Graves Protection and “I want to express our disappointment repatriate his remains. Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). When the about the [Supreme Court] decision not “The legal tools that were given to In- court found in favor of the plaintiffs, the to review the ruling of the Third Circuit,” dian people and tribes to correct this type borough appealed. said Kay Rhoads, Principal Chief of the of injustice haven’t worked in this case,” The United States Court of Appeals for Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma. “The he concluded. “For the moment, Sac and the Third Circuit reversed that judgment famous Sac and Fox athlete’s remains Fox people and Indian people in general last October, citing a doctrine that said were taken forcibly from a traditional are just going to be left with the view that the trial court’s decision was “so shock- burial ceremony in 1953 under circum- the legal remedy they have was worth- ing” that it could override NAGPRA. The stances that illustrate the lack of respect less.” http://bit.ly/1LbdvSH 0 BAUCH PHOTOBUCKET.COM/GREG

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 11 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

Several Four Corners-area tribes hope to join with the federal The flutist Andrew Thomas (Navajo) was one of many government to manage Bears Ears National Monument. performers at the New Mexico State Fair.

Interior Secretary Jewell tried her hand at wiring solar panels at Lindsay Robertson is the University of Oklahoma’s first

the Shinnecock Nation’s tribal “Solarthon” on October 1. Chickasaw Nation Native American Law Chair. OF INTERIOR; UNIVERSITY OKLAHOMA DEPT. COURTESY MORGAN EDWARDS; TIM PETERSON; JASON COURTESY

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 12 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY Headlines from the Web REELS, JONES AMONG CANDIDATES DONALD TRUMP DOESN’T THINK THE FEDERAL MURDER INDICTMENT FOR MASHANTUCKET COUNCIL REDSKINS SHOULD CHANGE THEIR NAME UNSEALED IN SHAWNEE CASE http://bit.ly/1L26Wl9 http://wapo.st/1WIaq3R http://bit.ly/1QZsSB1

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Upcoming Events nia Indians, past to present. This year, NATIONAL CONGRESS OF special attention will be paid to sub- AMERICAN INDIANS CONVENTION & ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE/DEMENTIA missions that speak to the conference’s MARKETPLACE OCTOBER 18-23 IN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES origins, what has been accomplished A wide array of topics, consultations and CONFERENCE OCTOBER 15-16 through its annual meetings, changes concerns will be spotlighted at the NCAI’s This inaugural national conference ad- over the years, and future directions for 72nd annual convention, beginning with a dresses a phenomenon largely unknown the conference. Regional Indigenous Peoples and Nations among Native Americans, who often lack Location: University of California Consultation on Climate Change on the the vocabulary necessary to describe it. Berkeley first day of the proceedings. The ensuing Three concurrent tracks will provide sessions will embrace such broad-ranging detailed instruction to address medical ALASKA FEDERATION OF NATIVES themes as gaming, water rights, sacred care, caregiving issues, care innovations CONVENTION OCTOBER 15-17 sites, law enforcement, voting, health, and policy implications. Both plenary “Heroes in Our Homeland” is the theme technology, homeland security, natural di- and concurrent sessions are crafted to of this year’s incarnation of the largest sasters, federal trust responsibility, higher enhance each participant’s ability to representative annual U.S. gathering of education and the digital divide. bring new knowledge, skills and pro- Native peoples. Working sessions on mat- Location: Town and Country Resort, San gram innovations back to their designat- ters ranging from drug abuse to business Diego, California ed workplace. Conducted by the Banner innovations, panel discussions on oil rev- Alzheimer’s Institute’s Native American enues and Alaska’s economic crisis, and AMERICAN INDIGENOUS Outreach Program. reports on subsistence and health mat- RESEARCH ORGANIZATION Location: Scottsdale Plaza Resort, Scott- ters will be highlighted. Speakers include MEETING OCTOBER 22-24 sdale, Arizona Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, Fair- Presentations will include “Neocolonial- banks Mayor John Eberhart, Alaska Gov. ism in Education,” “Searching for the CALIFORNIA INDIAN CONFERENCE Bill Walker, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and Native American Female,” “Exploring OCTOBER 15-17 National Congress of American Indians a Contemporary Maori Philosophy of The 30th anniversary of the University President Brian Cladoosby. Awards pre- Knowledge,” “Indigenous Knowledge and of California Berkeley’s California In- sentations, the introduction and election Practice,” and “Comparative Methodol- dian Conference will continue the in- of leaders and procedural matters will ogy: Enhancing Social Work Practice in stitution’s tradition of the sharing and round out the event. Indigenous Communities.” exchange of knowledge, scholarship, and Location: Dena’ina Center, Anchorage, Location: Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, issues of importance related to Califor- Alaska Montana LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Re Dartmouth College’s decision to ap- have. Just how many kegs did they tap the we agree on many of the same basic point Susan Taffe Reed, a member of no night before making that decision? ideas that self determination, entrepre- federally recognized tribe, as its Native I have a recalcitrant kitty I am going neurship and persistence underlies our American Program Director: to put in for the position the next time it only path to true success in life. After 45 years of graduating high- comes up. For these reasons I subscribe to Indian powered American Indian students from —Jimmy Dial Country Today because of the wisdom around the country, Dartmouth had a Chesapeake, Virginia I can glean and the hope that I see in plethora of resources about American In- its pages. dian people and persons at their finger- Regardless of our ancestral heritage not —Susan McCurdy tips that no one else in the country might being the same, as people of good will LaCrosse, Wisconsin

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 13 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

TOP NEWS ALERTS From IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com

OJIBWE BOOK WINS poration, a tourism entity of the tion’s Attorney General’s office in 1997. He currently teaches LITERARY PRIZE 2,300-member Hualapai Tribe has charged Asa Cunningham, courses in federal Indian law, Brenda J. Child has won the of Arizona, last week named the former assistant director of comparative and international Jon Gjerde Prize of the Mid- Mark Mortenson as its chief ex- membership for the tribe, with Indigenous Peoples law, consti- western History Association ecutive officer. Prior to his new three counts of tampering with tutional law and legal history. for her book My Grandfather’s job, Mortenson spent the last public records, thereby possibly Knocking Sticks: Ojibwe Family eight years as president and bilking the Nation out of thou- HONORS FOR Life and Labor on the Reserva- CEO of the Buffalo Society of sands of dollars. The charges TURNING STONE tion, which tells of Ojibwe life Natural Sciences, an organiza- stem from an Osage Nation Po- The Showroom, the Oneida Na- during the first half of the 20th tion that manages the Buffalo lice Department investigation. tion’s 800-seat cabaret-style century from the author’s van- Museum of Science and the venue at Turning Stone Resort tage point of growing up on the Tifft Nature Preserve. Before HISTORIC INDIAN LAW Casino in Verona, New York, Red Lake Indian Reservation. that, he spent 20 years at the APPOINTMENT won “Showroom of the Year” Selection committee chair- Walt Disney Company, finishing The University of Oklahoma has honors at the Global Gaming man Professor Andrew Cayton as a vice president of Global named Lindsay Robertson the Expo’s Casino Entertainment called the book “an eloquent Operations Management. first Chickasaw Nation Native Awards on September 30. “It’s study of family life which lo- American Law Chair at the uni- a tremendous honor to have cates personal experience in the CHARGES FILED IN versity’s College of Law—the first The Showroom at Turning Stone larger experience of the Ojibwe OSAGE ROLLS CASE time a permanent faculty mem- hailed as a premier entertain- people and the Midwest.” A former employee of the ber will hold a Native American ment venue,” said Oneida Na- Osage Nation of Oklahoma law chair position at any U.S. law tion Representative and Nation NEW HEAD FOR has been accused of falsifying school. Robertson, who holds a Enterprises CEO Ray Halbrit- HUALAPAI ENTERPRISE membership applications to add Ph.D. in history in addition to his ter, publisher of This Week The Grand Canyon Resort Cor- non-Natives to its rolls. The Na- law degree, joined the faculty From Indian Country Today.

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 14 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY How Did I Miss That? Grandstanding over Planned Parenthood, New Hampshire traffic fines and Donald Trump’s nether regions BY STEVE RUSSELL

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Republican debate, “Carly Fiorina cut his should I think New Hampshire turnips Richards spent over five hours getting balls off with the precision of a surgeon.” bleed any better than Texas turnips?” grilled by Republican members of the Trump demanded an apology from Fox House Committee on Oversight and Gov- and a fine of Lowry by the FCC. Lowry * * * ernment Reform. It was a prime oppor- tweeted, “I love how Mr. Anti-PC now tunity to confront Richards with video of wants the FCC to fine me. #pathetic” and, Reuters reported that 717 people were Planned Parenthood selling body parts of directly to The Donald, “man, you can dish killed and 863 injured among Muslim pil- fetuses . . . if such video existed outside the it out but you REALLY REALLY can’t take grims in Mina, Saudi Arabia, who were on fevered imagination of Carly Fiorina. it .” their way to stone the Devil. This was one Tere being no evidence with which to of the principal ceremonies of the Hajj, the confront Richards, her interrogators made * * * sacred journey expected of every obser- speeches to each other and complained vant Muslim who is financially and physi- about her salary—which is not paid with The Texas Observer reported that Texas cally able to participate. public funds. Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Tea Party Cousin Ray suggested that the Devil is favorite currently facing three felony secu- fighting back. * * * rities fraud indictments, took credit for the passage of the “pastor protection bill” in an * * * The pièce de résistance of the Planned appearance at the First Baptist Church in Parenthood roasting was brought forth by Grapevine. He related his Herculean ef- The Taliban in Afghanistan took the north- Chair Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who finally forts to make the political lift necessary to ern city of Kunduz, the first taking of a ma- confronted Richards with some “evidence.” rescue religious people from being forced jor city since the U.S. invasion in 2001. The Chaffetz projected a Cartesian chart pur- by the government to perform gay mar- neoconservative claim will be that Presi- porting to show abortions going up and riages. dent Obama is about to lose Afghanistan cancer screenings going down. How could Paxton get away with that and we need to cease withdrawal. Kunduz Surprised by the chart, Richards might when everybody with the IQ of a house- is in the north and the Taliban’s ethnic be excused for not noticing immediately plant knows the First Amendment already base, the Pashtuns, are in the south. The that it had no Y-axis and so was math- protects religious people from that horri- fight for Kunduz was about 500 Taliban ematical gibberish, but she did say it was ble fate? How could he get away with that against about 7,000 government troops. incorrect. Chaffetz assured her it came when the bill passed 141 to 2? How could “Training Afghans,” Cousin Ray snorted, directly from Planned Parenthood corpo- he get away with that when even the LGBT “is going about as well as training Iraqis.” rate filings. Unfortunately for Chaffetz, he caucus voted in favor? neglected to remove the credit line on the Paxton’s appearance at the church was * * * slide: SOURCE: AMERICANS UNITED advertised as a Northeast Tarrant County FOR LIFE. Tea Party event. “That explains why he was Kim Davis, the clerk who won’t work in “With all this noise,” my embarrassed sure nobody knew about he Constitution,” Georgia, visited privately with the pope. Republican cousin Ray Sixkiller comment- Cousin Ray snarked, “but it does not ex- Showing similar judgment, the pope can- ed, “you would think Planned Parenthood plain why the First Baptist Church should onized Fr. Junipero Serra. The New York is funded by the government.” have a tax exemption.” Times reported that somebody painted (Ray was referring to the fact that most a “saint of genocide” graffito, which the of the federal money Planned Parenthood * * * police called a “hate crime.” As the Times gets is not in the form of grants or subsi- reported, “Historians agree that he forced dies. It is Medicaid reimbursement for pro- The American Civil Liberties Union of Native Americans to abandon their tribal viding healthcare to poor women.) New Hampshire has released a report on culture and convert to Christianity, and the Granite State’s sliver of the national that he had them whipped and impris- * * * disgrace over jailing poor people who can’t oned and sometimes worked or tortured pay traffic fines. The study concludes that to death. The Donald is in high dudgeon about Fox New Hampshire spent $166,870 in 2013 in “Frank’s a good man,” Cousin Ray News allowing National Review editor a futile attempt to collect $75,850 in fines. sighed, “but a terrible judge of character.” Rich Lowry to comment on the second Cousin Ray was not impressed. “Why http://bit.ly/1JLLQFZ 0

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 15 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY UPCOMING POW WOWS

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IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com October 14, 2015 16 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

Minor league baseball player Harry Sampson, founding chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, is now a member of its Athletics Hall of Fame. COURTESY RSIC COURTESY

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.comTHE OctoberJuly 10,BIG 2013 14, 2015 PICTURE EDUCATION ISSUE SPECIAL2015

MONTANA CHASING HITTING THE TURTLES FOR BOOKS SCIENCE

TODAY’S STUDENTS, TOMORROW’S LEADERS How the Right Schools, Teachers and Curriculum Helps Native Students Thrive

PLUS

Great Education Busting Out All Over!

Don’t Be That Guy! (Good Grammar Rules)

2013 Champion of Change Scholarships for Stellar Native Scholars Dahkota Brown Comprehensive Tribal College Listings www.IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

Shekóli. No matter the beauty of the cam- sity of New Mexico; 185 satisfied students pus, the size of the programs, or the excel- who graduated from Navajo Tech; the Se- lence of its professors, an institution of quoyah Gates scholars; and the conserva- higher learning is defined by its students. tion and biology training of students at Throughout this magazine, our annual Oglala Lakota College thanks to its Ornate Special Education issue from This Week Box Turtle Project. From Indian Country Today, readers will find articles on Native students who are Students will also find many potential ave- striving for new levels of personal excel- nues of study mentioned within these pag- lence. Their stories serve as tangible signs es. Not to be missed is a highly informative of the strength of education in Indian piece by Dr. Dean Chavers on correcting country, and as inspiration to current common missteps in essays and on appli- students who are contemplating higher cations, in addition to an overview of sev- education. eral strong scholarships. Finally, of course, there is the centerpiece of the magazine, Our cover subject, Dahkota Brown has ICTMN’s annual Tribal College Listing. been worthy of admiration for a few years even though he is still in high school. In the During the year, IndianCountryTodayMe- 8th grade he started the successful after- diaNetwork.com frequently publishes in- school program, Native Education Raising structive and illuminating articles that help Dedicated Students, or NERDS; in 2013 shape and describe the state of education he was named one of five Champions of across our many nations. There is no better Change by the Center for Native American path to the enrichment of a life than culti- Youth; and, as he relates in the profile about him in this vating an active mind, and we must all help support the issue, he recently helped orchestrate the introduction of endeavors of Native educators and students alike. legislation in California to ban the offensive and racist R-word and mascot in the state. NΛ ki� wa, The magazine also features other celebratory stories, including this year’s Champions of Change; a brand new class of medical professionals from the Univer- Ray Halbritter 8

1 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 27 SMSC SCHOLARSHIP GRADS

4 NTU STUDENTS EARN 62 MEDALS 28 TRIBAL COLLEGE STUDENTS CHALLENGED 6 ART MAKES A COMEBACK AT HASKELL 30 TOHONO O’ODHAM COMMUNITY COLLEGE 8 THE BEST KIND OF INSURANCE 32 12 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES 10 CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE 34 LOVE OF WISDOM 12 MONTANA STEPS UP 36 KING OF THE NERDS 14 9 IMPROVEMENTS TO EDUCATION 39 CALIFORNIA BANS RACIST TEAM NAME

16 MERGING NATIVE ART AND HIGHER ED 40 BAD ENGLISH: 34 GRAMMAR LESSONS

17 SEQUOYAH GATES SCHOLARS 42 TRIBAL COLLEGE LISTINGS

18 CHASING TURTLES 48 THE BIG PICTURE 20 SEALASKA SCHOLARSHIPS 20 NTU GRADUATES 185 STUDENTS For subscription inquiries, contact: [email protected] 21 U OF TULSA’S ONLINE INDIAN LAW PROGRAM For editorial inquiries, contact: 22 IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? [email protected] 24 FORT LEWIS AND FREE TUITION Cover:Vincent Shilling; Montana Office of Public Instruction. 26 ALL ABOUT AIGC TOC: Courtesy Dahkota Kicking Bear Brown

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 3 Seeking a Job in an Expanding Field?

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*Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce forecasts of educational demand through 2020. 4 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY NTU Students Earn 62 Medals at SkillsUSA Competition

A bumper crop of gold medals for, from left, Roderick Brown, Virlencia Begay, Orlynda Jodie, DeeAnna James and Brenda Joe.

Proud students from Navajo Tech- bring all the materials I needed to plan what you have to wear, so you have to nical University took home 62 my lesson and create everything on-the- step up in every way.” medals during the NM SkillsUSA champi- spot to do my teaching demo, and sure Calvin Price, an Energy Systems ma- onships held in Albuquerque, New Mexi- enough I won again,” said Marell Char- jor, was involved in a Teamworks event co from April 9-11. They were up against ley, a two-time gold medalist who plans that stretched on for nearly two days. students from other higher education to become a history teacher. “I worked on the plumbing part of the institutions across the state, all of them Vernon Kaye, a digital manufacturing project, while my teammates each had competing in hands-on trade, technical, major at NTU was on a two-man team their own parts to work on,” said Price, and leadership contests. that won gold in the Additive Manufac- who will graduate this month and plans Adriane Tenequer, a junior at NTU turing event. They used a 3-D printer to on attending Arizona State University who plans to start her own business after create an adaptor for a robot arm. to study Sustainable Energy. graduation, was chosen to serve as presi- “I like SkillsUSA competition be- All 33 of the gold medalists from dent of the competition. “I passed a pan- cause you apply your learning from NTU will travel to the national Skill- el interview and training at the national scratch. We were tested for our project, sUSA competitions in Louisville, Ken- SkillsUSA competitions in Kansas City and I had to learn how to adapt to the tucky in June. in 2014, and afterwards I was thrilled tools I was provided, like a 3-D print- “NTU has one of the largest mem- to be named president,” she explained er that was smaller than what I was berships in a SkillsUSA chapter.” Kaye in a university press release on how she used to, and I had to figure out how to said in the release. “There’s talk about snared that honor. Tenequer was a gold downsize my product to fit,” he said in getting Navajo Nation recognized as a medalist this year. the university press release. “SkillsUSA ‘state,’” which would allow the nation to

“From competing last year, I knew to stresses professionalism, right down to hold its own round of competitions. 0 TINA DESCHENIE

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INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 5

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83545_KB_IndianCountryJulyResize.indd 1 7/28/15 1:27 PM 6 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY Grand Entry Times Friday 12/11 at 7:00PM color theory and how to create coil pots and pinch pots. I teach the skills, but then Saturday 12/12 at 1:00PM & 7:00PM Art Education you want to see what the students can bring Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians to it and that’s been really great to see.” Presents Sunday 12/13 at 1:00PM Two fine arts open houses have been Winter Makes a Comeback held showcasing the students’ work. 2015 Gathering Haskell President Dr. Venida Chenault attended both events and supports the Information At Haskell LORI HASSELMAN return of the arts to Haskell. “It’s nice to VENDOR INFORMATION: see all the energy and the work that is Pow Wow Arts & Craft Vendors and Food Vendors Allowed back in this room,” Chenault said. “It’s December 11th - 13th (Must be tribal enrolled) been a long time since we’ve had this EARL THOMAS (760) 775-3239 many folks in here for any kind of show. POW WOW will be held inside the Spotlight Showroom It’s great and it’s exciting.” with all vendors outdoors. Traditional workshops and cultural Head Staff GENERAL INFORMATION: classes in beading, moccasin-making MATT SINGLeTON (760) 775-2070 and cradle boards are some of the proj- HOST DRUM Young Bear ects on Warrington’s list, as well as tra- EMCEE Juaquin Hamilton ditional feasts. “Around those tables ARENA DIRECTOR Rusty Gillette Dance Contest during those casual times when you HEAD DRUM JUDGE Randy Paskemin 1st 2nd 3rd 4th are beading or sewing or helping teach HEAD DANCE JUDGE Michael Roberts Men’s 18 to 54 N. Traditional, S. Straight, Grass $1,000 $800 $600 $300 others are where your stories come out, TABULATOR Mariea Jones Northern Fancy, Southern Fancy, Chicken Dance where your vitally important informa- TABULATOR Christina Johnson tion comes out that has to do directly 18 to 54 N. Traditional Buckskin,Women’s S. Traditional Buckskin with your identity,” Warrington said. N. Traditional Cloth, S. Traditional Cloth, $1,000 $800 $600 $300 Warrington discusses a time when Jingle, Fancy Shawl tribal people were not allowed to express Drum Contest their culture. They found other avenues 55 to 64 $1,000 $800 $600 $300 NORTHERN SOUTHERN Senior N.Men’s Traditional, S. Straight of expression that are in some of the de- 1st $4,000 1st $4,000 (Grass and Fancy Combined) signs and textiles on display. Warrington plus 1st place jackets plus 1st place jackets hopes to pass these tribal-cultural art 2nd 2nd 55 to 64 $2,500 $2,500 Senior Women’sN. Traditional, S. Traditional $1,000 $800 $600 $300 forms on to the next generation of Haskell 3rd $1,500 3rd $1,500 (Jingle and Fancy Shawl Combined) students. “To be able to revive the art at 4th $1,000 4th $1,000 Sun plaques made by ceramics students on display at the Fine Arts Open House. Haskell to me is vitally important because Men’s Golden Age 65 & Up $1,000 $800 $600 $300 Host Drum will not be entered in contest. N. Traditional, S. Straight the students need to understand that it is Point system in effect for dance and drum contest. With the reappearance of art courses and Haskell. That’s why I want the students to a form of expression not just cultural art Women’s Golden Age 65 & Up now the director’s seat filled at the Haskell get involved.” but many different forms of expression,” N. Traditional, S. Traditional $1,000 $800 $600 $300 Cultural Center and Museum, art educa- Art education has been on the back said Warrington. “We come from a great Dance Special tion has come full circle at Haskell Indian burner since long-time instructor and people that were based in art. We didn’t Teen Boys 13 to 17 Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. It Kiowa-Comanche artist, Blanche Wahn- define it as it is today, but the same con- Ironman Fancy N. Traditional, S. Straight, Grass, Fancy $325 $225 $125 $100 is the first time in seven years that students ee, retired. The art program suffered cepts are the same things we’ve used for have been offered a painting class, and the through several leadership changes over hundreds of years.” $3,000 Teen Girls 13 to 17 (Must be 18 years and older) N. Traditional, S. Traditional, $325 $225 $125 $100 first time in three years since they have seven years until working artist, Gina The center is committed to student Jingle, Fancy Shawl studied ceramics. Adams, was invited to the university to engagement and cultural diversity in the Jancita Warrington, the director, knows teach painting and ceramics as part of programs they hope to provide. Students 7 to 12 Women’s Team (N. TraditionalJunior and S. Boys Straight Combined) that for many students, the Haskell Cultural an art appreciation course. are encouraged to stop by and visit with (Grass and Fancy Combined) $150 $100 $75 $50 Center and Museum is a place where tour- The next semester, acting dean of hu- Warrington and share their ideas. 0 $4,500 ists look at pictures about Haskell history. manities, Josh Falleaf, provided Adams Junior Girls 7 to 12 Warrington wants to set the record straight. with teaching space. “We’re coming to- Lori Hasselman, Delaware Tribe of Indians Men’s Team (N. Traditional and S. Traditional Combined) $150 $100 $75 $50 (Jingle and Fancy Shawl Combined) “I want students to understand there re- gether from all different departments to of Oklahoma, is a 2015-2016 Native Ameri- $4,500 ally is a difference between museum and bring the arts back to all the students here can Journalism Fellow who produced this cultural center,” she said. “A museum takes at Haskell,” Falleaf said. story for the newsroom immersion program Team Dance: Min. of 3 dancers. Tiny Tots 6 and under will have an exhibition dance (Must be 18 years and older) something that’s dead in the past and pre- Adams has been happy with the results, run by the Native American Journalists As- serves it to study later… A cultural center and the talent of the students. “The students sociation at the National Native Media Con- 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Prize actually celebrates a living culture of peo- come here with a traditional sense of their ference in Washington, D.C. She is a senior Free Admisson ple. It should be the community center of culture,” Adams said. “I give basic skills like at Haskell Indian Nations University. HASSELMAN LORI Spotlight 29 Casino NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL ALLOWED 46-200 Harrison Place | Coachella, CA 92236 1 (866) 377-6829 Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation Fall 2015 IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com ww.spotlight29.com www.theresamike.com GrandINDIAN EntryCOUNTRY EDUCATION Times TODAY 7 Friday 12/11 at 7:00PM Saturday 12/12 at 1:00PM & 7:00PM

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Presents Sunday 12/13 at 1:00PM Winter 2015 Gathering Information VENDOR INFORMATION: Pow Wow Arts & Craft Vendors and Food Vendors Allowed December 11th - 13th (Must be tribal enrolled) EARL THOMAS (760) 775-3239 POW WOW will be held inside the Spotlight Showroom with all vendors outdoors. Head Staff GENERAL INFORMATION: HOST DRUM Young Bear MATT SINGLeTON (760) 775-2070 EMCEE Juaquin Hamilton ARENA DIRECTOR Rusty Gillette Dance Contest HEAD DRUM JUDGE Randy Paskemin 1st 2nd 3rd 4th HEAD DANCE JUDGE Michael Roberts Men’s 18 to 54 N. Traditional, S. Straight, Grass $1,000 $800 $600 $300 TABULATOR Mariea Jones Northern Fancy, Southern Fancy, Chicken Dance TABULATOR Christina Johnson 18 to 54 N. Traditional Buckskin,Women’s S. Traditional Buckskin N. Traditional Cloth, S. Traditional Cloth, $1,000 $800 $600 $300 Drum Contest Jingle, Fancy Shawl 55 to 64 $1,000 $800 $600 $300 NORTHERN SOUTHERN Senior N.Men’s Traditional, S. Straight 1st $4,000 1st $4,000 (Grass and Fancy Combined) plus 1st place jackets plus 1st place jackets 2nd 2nd 55 to 64 $2,500 $2,500 Senior Women’sN. Traditional, S. Traditional $1,000 $800 $600 $300 3rd $1,500 3rd $1,500 (Jingle and Fancy Shawl Combined) 4th $1,000 4th $1,000 Men’s Golden Age 65 & Up $1,000 $800 $600 $300 Host Drum will not be entered in contest. N. Traditional, S. Straight Point system in effect for dance and drum contest. Women’s Golden Age 65 & Up Dance Special N. Traditional, S. Traditional $1,000 $800 $600 $300 Teen Boys 13 to 17 Ironman Fancy N. Traditional, S. Straight, Grass, Fancy $325 $225 $125 $100 $3,000 Teen Girls 13 to 17 (Must be 18 years and older) N. Traditional, S. Traditional, $325 $225 $125 $100 Jingle, Fancy Shawl

7 to 12 Women’s Team (N. TraditionalJunior and S. Boys Straight Combined) $4,500 (Grass and Fancy Combined) $150 $100 $75 $50 Junior Girls 7 to 12 Men’s Team (N. Traditional and S. Traditional Combined) $150 $100 $75 $50 $4,500 (Jingle and Fancy Shawl Combined) Team Dance: Min. of 3 dancers. Tiny Tots 6 and under will have an exhibition dance (Must be 18 years and older) 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Prize Free Admisson Spotlight 29 Casino NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL ALLOWED 46-200 Harrison Place | Coachella, CA 92236 1 (866) 377-6829 Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation ww.spotlight29.com Fall 2015www.theresamike.com THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 8 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY

statement is: “Tribes Protecting Tribes.” The basketball classic has a tradition The Best AMERIND Risk distributes $45,000 of renowned guest speakers. “We always annually among nine regional housing have guest speakers who are really relat- authorities, which set their own scholar- able to the kids, successful minorities Kind of ship application criteria and select schol- such as Muhammad Ali, U.S. Senator arship awardees. Interested applicants can Ben Nighthorse Campbell, many Miss contact Serna at AMERIND Risk. “These Indian USA winners, and various NBA Insurance students are the future leaders of our com- and NFL stars—both current and past,” munities,” she says. says tournament manager David Heis- How AMERIND Risk One event that draws huge community terkamp, who has volunteered at the Promotes Higher support from New Mexico residents and basketball event for 21 years. Pueblo leaders is AMERIND’s annual Education golf fundraiser. This April, 120 partici- Teaching Safety and Respect pants played in the 2015 Protecting Tribal Considering 72 percent of the more than KRISTIN BUTLER Families Golf Fundraiser at the Twin War- $385 million in claims paid by AMERIND riors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New since 1986 has been fire-related, AMER- Mexico. AMERIND Risk shared half of IND takes fire safety and prevention very the proceeds of $13,400, with the Ameri- seriously. It has hosted an annual fire can Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) to safety poster contest for youth for the last support its scholarship fund. 22 years. Recently, the focus has expanded AMERIND’s portion of the proceeds to include campaigns against texting and went toward its Family Emergency Fund driving. AMERIND awards three poster that assists uninsured Native families who contest winners $1,000 each. have experienced hardships due to unfore- Kenneth Ruthardt, AMERIND Risk seen disasters or loss to their home. safety representative, will lead a seminar While the AMERIND Risk Family on fire safety at AMERIND Risk’s 2015 In- Emergency Fund provides much-needed stitute to be held October 6-8, at the Isleta relief to devastated families, the company’s Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, New generosity also lends the opportunity to Mexico. Grease fires are a deadly issue. He educate members of Indian country on says, “If you pour water on a grease fire, it the importance of securing insurance. explodes up the wall and across the ceil- “We feel very passionate about getting the ing. It turns into a fireball instantaneously.” word out to them [about the need to get Ruthardt will also announce AMER- insured], so that if Mother Nature wreaks IND’s recently launched initiative to re- havoc or catastrophic things happen, we duce arson. “We created an arson award can pay their claims and get them back in program that pays up to $10,000 in the their home,” Serna says. event of an arrest and indictment of the Another outreach effort is the annual suspect.” Tips can be made anonymously. Marketing director Nancy Harjo Serna AMERIND All-West Native American Basketball Classic tournament, co-hosted Circulating Money in Indian Country “Our higher mission is the economic sus- each April with the United Native Ameri- AMERIND also gives money to Native tainability of Indian country,” says Nancy can Housing Association and the Great American-controlled organizations that Harjo Serna (Muscogee Creek), director Plains Tribes near Denver, Colorado. This can improve tribal lives. It sets aside of marketing at AMERIND Risk. “Educa- year, AMERIND’s support helped to pro- nearly half a million dollars for the Na- tion is a major factor in being able to at- vide six $4,000 college scholarships to Na- tional Congress of American Indians, tain that economic sustainability.” tive American youth. In March, volunteers the Native American Finance Officers Created by more than 400 tribes as a and participants celebrated the tourna- Association, the Native American Hu- risk-pool entity, AMERIND Risk spe- ment’s 30th anniversary. man Resources Association, the Na- cializes in providing property, liability One way the tournament inspires Na- tional Indian Child Welfare Association, and workers’ compensation insurance tives is through field trips to nearby col- the Native American Rights Fund, and for tribes, tribal governments, busi- leges. “Youth learn the basics of applying many more Native nonprofits. nesses and individuals. Tribally owned, for college and what to expect when “We give back to Native associations and based on the Santa Ana Pueblo in they move away from home to college,” that help Indian country. We’re more New Mexico, AMERIND prides itself on says Jason Adams, UNAHA Chairman than just an insurance company,” says catering to Indian country unlike com- and Executive Director of the Salish & Derek Valdo (Acoma Pueblo), AMER- mercial insurance companies. Its mission Kootenai Housing Authority. IND CEO. 0 AMERIND

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 DEPARTMENT OF AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES Through the exploration of indigenous narratives, heritage, and history, we strive to restore and promote the importance of American Indians in everyday life.

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The Department of American Indian Our nationally-renowned faculty are Studies at the University of Minnesota committed to challenging conventional strives to cultivate Native leaders academic approaches while also giving and allies by providing a critical and students strong backgrounds in critical comprehensive education in the field of areas of policy, law, history, social theory, Native American and Indigenous Studies. education, literary criticism, film, and American Indian Studies majors receive environmental studies. All of this is training in contemporary Native literary complemented by a thriving Native and artistic expression, legal and political community on campus, in the Twin Cities, issues, and historical experiences. and throughout the state of Minnesota. COME BE A PART OF THE FIRST AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT IN THE WORLD! cla.umn.edu/ais 612-624-1338 | [email protected] 10 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY Highlighting the Resiliency of Native Youth Through Champions for Change PATTY TALAHONGVA

Most adults might be uncomfortable talk- a difference. “This is even more proof to their tribal communities. ing about sexual abuse or suicide or even that if you keep trying you can succeed Carin Young, 22, Native Hawaiian, fig- the loss of culture, but some Native youth at amazing things and you can impact ured out a way to connect water balloon are tackling these tough issues head on. The people everywhere.” fights and victims of sexual abuse with 2015 class of Champions for Change was “The 2015 CFC class is extraordinary,” her “Break the Silence” annual event. In recognized in Washington, D.C. for their Bailey said. “In addition to their power- the Hawaiian culture water is healing, so efforts. The Center for Native American ful personal stories and the remarkable when a balloon is broken, that symbolizes Youth took over this White House initiative programs they have built, I think what the breaking of the silence around sexual three years ago to promote youth who are impressed me most was their commit- abuse. When the water hits the ground it making a difference in their communities. ment to building on success. These young nourishes and promotes growth, much like “On a national advocacy, how talking about the abuse policy level, the Champi- will help a person heal. So ons for Change program in this non-threatening and is about celebrating good fun way she gets people to news” said Erin Bailey, talk, and helps them and CNAY executive director. their families heal, like her “While it is true that Na- own family had to heal tive youth are the most when they found out her vulnerable population in older brother had been the country, it is also the abused. “Sexual abuse is case that Indian country is one of the most unreported home to some of the most crimes. It’s hard for a young resilient, powerful, and im- boy to come forward. It pactful leaders, including dampens the victims’ ability Native youth.” to start their healing jour- Consider 15-year-old ney,” she said. Hamilton Seymour, Nook- Interior Secretary Jewell, center, with some of this year’s champions. Tatiana Ticknor, 16, sack, the youngest Cham- Yup’ik, Tlingit, and pion, and his “Native War Canoe” initiative. people came into the CFC recognition Dena’ina, is a “Community Doer” as part of When he was 12, his father committed week with an eagerness to learn from the First Alaskans Institute. She motivates suicide. After dealing with that tragedy he each other, network with and across re- her peers to participate in the culture and found a way to get other youth involved in sources, and build connections with each learn the languages of their people. They the culture. By carving traditional canoes other. From the second I walked in the also find ways to involve elders in activities. and then learning how to paddle and how room and met them for the first time, I In D.C., Champions met with mem- to sing traditional songs he says it promotes felt like I had the privilege to meet genu- bers of Congress and Interior Secretary the culture and a healthy lifestyle for his ine people, who were already changing Sally Jewell. “The future of Indian coun- peers. It also gives the youth a chance to lives but not afraid of using our new, try is going to rest with the next genera- address their grief and heal. broad platform to expand their impact.” tion,” said Jewell. “We want to make sure Jazmyn Espinoza, 18, Stockbridge For 18-year-old Rory Taylor, Pawnee, we’re setting up the youth on a path for Munsee Band of Mohican, is a sexual that means telling the world the low success.” abuse and suicide survivor. Her expe- high school graduation rates in Indian The youth will spend the next year rience led her to create, “The Warrior country are unacceptable. As a college engaging with CNAY staff, and once Circle Project.” It’s a safe space at the freshman at Pomona College in Califor- their year is up that doesn’t mean the re- community center where youth can talk nia, Taylor is the executive director of lationship ends. “I’m going to continue about challenges they face including bul- the Claremont College IndigeNATION to fight for youth,” Taylor said. His am- lying. They also address health and well- Scholars program. There he and his bitions include being a U.S. senator. He ness and offer each other peer support. peers mentor local high school students. wants Native youth to know they can be For her, being selected as a Champion They also include cultural education to whatever they want to be. “Those words reinforced her belief that she is making help the Native students stay connected aren’t hollow.” 0 AMERICAN YOUTH NATIVE CENTER FOR

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tribes alone were responsible for deter- topics has been hugely effective. “We Montana mining what story they wanted to tell took those teachers who were interested and how that story would look. in working on this effort and trained “Some tribes created DVDs, some them,” Juneau said. “We needed to give Steps Up created textbook-like materials, some them a lot of information that had been had a poster series that went along with lacking in their own educational experi- for a curriculum. We took those products ence. Once they caught the bug of In- and created tribal history documents, dian education and what it meant and curriculum and timelines that brought filled the gaps in their own knowledge, Native it all together,” Juneau said. they were the ones who really moved IEFA forward.” Juneau continued, “We now have Students, three different tiers of professional development—teachers learning Future basic facts; teachers developing and sharing lesson plans and resources; and a small group of master IEFA Leaders teachers, who are presenting on IEFA at conferences.” TANYA H. LEE In 2014, IEFA cost $20.40 per stu- While school boards and politi- dent plus $134,000 in discretionary cians in some states say they cannot grants to some school districts, ac- understand why a high school U.S. cording to Madalyn Quinlan, chief history course would have anything of staff at the Office of Public In- to say about events that occurred struction. before the arrival of Europeans, the “Is the program working?” ICT- State of Montana has taken a com- MN asked Broaddus. “That’s the pletely different tack in regard to its million-dollar question,” she said. 12 American Indian tribes. “We do know that our graduation The state’s Office of Public In- rates for [American Indian] students struction has initiated efforts in its have increased slowly over time. We K-12 classrooms specifically relevant OPI State Superintendent Juneau have no way to tie that directly to to the tribes—including the Indian IEFA, but I firmly believe that if stu- Education for All program, the Schools Every lesson and piece of research dents are in school environments where of Promise initiative and the hiring of created by OPI is funneled through the their history and culture and identity two full-time specialists whose job it is Montana Advisory Council on Indian are respected, then that increases the to help teachers working on closing the Education, whose members are des- likelihood of their staying in school and achievement gap. The Montana State ignees appointed by the tribal govern- graduating.” Legislature supports tribal colleges by ments, and must be approved by the Montana is also committed to closing providing funding for non-tribal stu- council members and their respective the achievement gap. Any school that dents attending those schools. governments. has an American Indian student gets an Indian Education for All is exactly Teacher development has been criti- additional $200 per student per year and what its name implies. All students in cal to making IEFA work. OPI “supports OPI also gets state-level funding aimed Montana public schools learn about educators on their journey to becoming at that goal. OPI has two full-time spe- the history and contemporary lives of more culturally proficient so they feel cialists dedicated to helping teachers the tribes living in the state. The state’s able to implement IEFA in their class- help Native students. One person focus- approach to developing curriculum for rooms,” said Mandy Smoker Broaddus, es on academics and gives workshops for IEFA exemplifies its commitment to Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux, director teachers; the other is focused more on providing accurate and authentic infor- of Indian education at OPI. the whole child and works with teachers mation about the tribes. The American Indian population in on student engagement, student leader- OPI State Superintendent Denise Montana is about 7 percent, but 11 to ship, student wellness and other issues, Juneau, Mandan and Hidatsa Tribes, 12 percent of Montana’s public school Broaddus said. explained, “In 2009 our legislature pro- students are American Indian/Alaska The OPI’s Schools of Promise initia- vided $2 million to be divided among Native, while 98 percent of the teach- tive is a partnership between schools, the tribal governments in our state to ing force is white. Nonetheless, profes- communities and the office to improve develop their own tribal histories.” The sional development for teachers in IEFA Montana’s persistently lowest achieving (2) OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION MONTANA COURTESY

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 13 schools. The initiative serves schools things that makes our state pretty sig- country and our state to really be able on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, nificant is that we have modified Com- to lead,” Broaddus said. “I think about Northern Cheyenne Reservation and mon Core standards to incorporate the type of leaders our kindergarteners Crow Indian Reservation. American Indian content throughout,” and first graders are going to be when In an effort to support tribal colleges Broaddus said. they graduate. They’re going to be and increase opportunities able to create policies that for all Montanans, the state move our state together has for the past several years knowing that everybody partially funded non-tribal in this state, no matter students at tribal colleges. A their background, really bill to increase that funding lends to the fabric of our has fought its way through the community and that we all state legislature this year, said look out for each other.” Laura John, Seneca/Blackfeet, The OPI is eager to share state-tribal policy analyst at curriculum and resources. the Montana Budget Policy All of Montana’s materials Center. She said she expects related to IEFA—lessons, the current version, which units, history, Common funds students at a maximum Core adaptations—are of $3,280 per student per year, available to anyone who an 8 percent increase over the Superintendent Juneau celebrates with some graduating Native students. wants to use them. “We funding level for the past sev- have numerous resources eral years, to be approved shortly. IEFA is not just for American Indian and lesson plans on our website,” Bro- Montana’s commitment to inte- children. It’s about creating the next addus said. “They are all available for grating information about American generation of national, state and local download for free for anybody. And Indians has extended to modifying leaders and citizens. “Our leaders need educators can call us with questions Common Core standards. “One of the to have a truthful history of both our and ideas.” 0

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 14 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY

sions may be good for Indian country, 9 Ways Native where many American Indian/Alaska Native children do not do well on stan- dardized tests, civil rights leaders have American Education expressed concern that minority children will get short shrift as a result.

Tribal School gets NCLB Waiver TANYA H. LEE is Getting Better The Miccosukee Indian Tribe of Flori- da became the first tribally-controlled school to receive a federal waiver from NCLB requirements. It permits the tribe to set its own definition of adequate yearly progress and to determine what tests it will use to measure children’s academic achievements.

Pueblo of Isleta Takes Over BIE School The Bureau of Indian Education autho- rized the conversion of Isleta Elementary School from a BIE school to a tribally- controlled grant school. The school had been operated by the U.S. government since the 1890s. Moving schools from BIE to tribal control was a major recom- mendation in the BIE’s 2014 Blueprint for Reform. At the end of August, Assis- tant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn announced that $1.75 million Good news in classrooms, covering everything from better Internet access to local testing standards. in funding would be available to tribes to support tribal education departments “Native youth and Native education are progress; instead states or local agencies with a view to taking over BIE schools. in a state of emergency,” according to the would determine which schools needed White House Native Youth Report. The improvement and what—if anything— Funding for Tribal Colleges 2014 report makes recommendations to they would be required to do about it. In August, the U.S. Department of Educa- improve education for American Indian The bills both require that test results tion announced more than $50 million in and Alaska Native children. Some prom- show disaggregated data—that is, data by new grants to 31 American Indian Tribally ising initiatives and trends are already race, ethnicity, gender, poverty level and Controlled Colleges and Universities. underway. Here are a few of them: other criteria, which means it will still be possible to know how American Indian/ Improvements in Curriculum Elementary and Secondary Alaska Native children are doing com- Public schools are beginning to develop Education Act Reauthorization pared with other students. curriculum to teach students about the Both the House and Senate have passed In stark contrast to NCLB, the fed- history and contributions of Indigenous versions of the ESEA Reauthorization. Both eral government would be prohibited Peoples. The Oregon State Legislature would undo many of the most controver- from interfering with state and local is considering a bill that would require sial parts of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), decisions by offering incentives to en- its school districts to implement a “his- which has not served Indian country well. courage schools to use a particular set torically accurate, culturally embedded, While reading or language arts, math and of standards, including Common Core place-based, contemporary, and develop- science testing would still be required, standards, or assessments, such as the mentally appropriate AI/AN curriculum.” states would be able develop or adopt their Smarter Balanced Assessment System. Kentucky is “working on a curriculum own “challenging State academic stan- Both bills contain provisions that about Kentucky Native Americans geared dards” and the tests for measuring whether enhance tribes’ participation in deter- to Common Core standards. Other or not students have met those standards. mining educational policies and deci- states—Washington, Montana, North Da- Schools would no longer be judged sion-making. While moving the federal kota and Maine, for example—mandate on whether they had met annual yearly government out of local education deci- teaching Native American history and ISTOCKPHOTO

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 15 culture to all students in public schools. intended to bring next-generation broad- Gathering in collaboration with United band to 99 percent of America’s students National Indian Tribal Youth and the Bans on Indian Mascots, Logos by 2018, Apple, Inc., awarded a grant to Departments of Justice and Health and California, Colorado, Oregon, the District provide iPads and Macs to Hoopa Valley Human Services. The Youth Gathering of Columbia, Oklahoma City, Madison High School on the Hoopa Valley Indian brought together over 875 Native youth and Houston have proposed or passed Reservation and to improve wifi at the representing 230 tribes from 42 states. bans on mascots and logos that are de- school. Verizon is supplying network in- rogatory to American Indians. In April, frastructure for American Indian youth No More Sequestration? Oneida Nation Representative and CEO at 10 school-related dorms on reserva- In June, Senators Jon Tester, D-Montana, of Oneida Nation Enterprises Ray Hal- tions across the West and Midwest and and Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, intro- britter said the use of derogatory terms to President Obama announced that the duced a bill to exempt the Indian Health describe Indian people “is not just an issue ConnectHome initiative would provide Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and for Native Americans. Researchers at the free or discounted broadband service to certain other programs for Indians from University of Buffalo reported earlier this public housing residents in 27 cities and sequestration cuts. This legislation would month that American Indian nicknames the Choctaw Nation. exempt the Bureau of Education, among and mascots are not neutral symbols and other federal agencies dealing with Na- that their continued use by schools, pro- Generation Indigenous Initiative tive American interests, from further fessional sports teams and other orga- President Obama’s Generation Indig- cuts under sequestration. Expanding the nizations has negative consequences for enous (Gen I) initiative is intended to provisions of the Senate bill, Rep. Don everyone, not just Native Americans.” improve opportunities for Native youth. Young, R-Alaska, Ranking Member Raul Among the programs are a National Ruiz, D-California, and Rep. Betty Mc- Broadband Initiatives Tribal Youth Network to support lead- Collum, D-Minnesota, introduced on High-speed Internet is critical to improv- ership development, and a Cabinet Na- July 14 a bill that would exempt the BIA, ing education in Indian country. Through tive Youth Listening Tour. On July 9, the BIE and IHS, as well as the Administra- the White House ConnectED initiative, White House hosted the first Tribal Youth tion for Native Americans. 0

U.S. Department of the Interior Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations

LAND CONSOLIDATION EFFORTS UNDERWAY The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations, created to implement part of the Cobell Settlement, is offering fair market value to landowners for voluntarily restoring fractional land interests to tribes, which helps ensure that Indian lands stay in trust. - Many landowners have already been paid. - The Program has successfully concluded transactions worth more than $500 million, restoring the equivalent of more than 975,000 acres of land to tribal governments. - All sales are voluntary, but landowners will only have 45 days to accept.

Landowners are encouraged to contact the U.S. Department of the Interior to learn about eligibility and to ensure that their contact information is up to date. Please call the Trust Beneficiary Call Center Today: 1-888-678-6836

More information is available from your local Fiduciary Trust Officer, or on the web: www.doi.gov/buybackprogram

Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 16 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY

school is also open to non-Natives, all students receive an education steeped in Bringing Native culture. “We have students from Canada, Chi- na, Japan, England and Australia,” Martin Native said. “You do not have to be indigenous to attend, but our mission is to create leadership in American Indian cultures, so Art and whether they’re Native or not, it will be presented from a Native perspective.” Much of what is offered at IAIA now Higher comes from a long legacy of Native arts in the Southwest, Martin said. Estab- Exploring the dynamics of ceramics lished in 1962, during the administration Education of President John F. Kennedy, the insti- point,” Murphy said. “The four directions tute opened on the campus of the Santa were really viewed as the defining prin- Fe Indian School. ciples of what would be the layout of the Together In 1975, the institute became a two-year entire campus, and the buildings are laid college offering degrees in studio arts, cre- out in relation to the solstice.” ative writing and museum studies. Con- Murphy has designed five of the insti- ALYSA LANDRY gress in 1986 established the Institute of tute’s 12 buildings, and the firm is work- American Indian and Alaska Native Cul- ing on a sixth—the new performing arts Nearly 4,000 students have graduated ture and Arts Development, making IAIA and fitness center. The goal, Murphy said, from the Institute of American Indian one of only three congressionally char- is to infuse the campus with “a voice for Arts, but no two individuals have had the tered colleges. all tribes.” same experience. The campus quickly earned a reputa- “Representing all nations from the Located about 12 miles southwest of tion for being the only national center North American continent is quite a the Santa Fe Plaza, IAIA is the only fine of scholarship for American Indian arts, task,” he said. “We try to capture com- arts institution in the nation that offers but still it lacked the kind of campus and mon themes of traditional Native four-year degrees in Native American facilities necessary for its educational thought, reverence of nature and their and Alaska Native arts. Here, in one of the goals, Martin said. place in the world.” most vibrantly artistic cities in America, “The first 24 years of existence, we One year after opening its new campus, students can immerse themselves in stu- were BIA-operated and funded,” he said. IAIA was accredited to award four-year dio or cinematic arts, creative writing or “And during all that time, we never had degrees. And in 2013, it launched a mas- indigenous or museum studies. our own campus.” ter of fine arts program in creative writing. On any given day, students can be found Then Congress enacted legislation that The first class of 17 students graduated painting, sculpting, dancing or working in “essentially said that Native arts and cul- from the MFA program in May. a state-of-the-art fabrication lab, said IAIA ture are the only ones that are indigenous IAIA also operates the Museum of Con- President Robert Martin, who is Chero- to this country, and they needed to be temporary Native Arts in downtown Santa kee. The institute’s mission, to empower supported and researched,” Martin said. Fe, and the Center for Lifelong Education, creativity and leadership in Native arts and “It recognized that IAIA is the birthplace which is open for distance learning to all cultures, means artists determine what to of contemporary Native art. It recognized indigenous people worldwide. study and how. how important art is to all these cultures.” Although IAIA continues to explore, “We know how important art is to all During the 1990s, the institute began innovate and push its boundaries, the indigenous cultures,” Martin said. “So designing a campus that is, in itself, a work much of its success is tied to its histo- we encourage students to bring their tradi- of art. From an aerial view, the campus is ry, Martin said. Many of the institute’s tions, heritage and culture and to build on laid out along the solstice lines with nods 4,000 graduates have gone on to have that with their own originality and creativ- to the four sacred directions. prestigious careers. ity, and to take it to the next level.” “The primary element is the central “IAIA is about advancing the notion of About 500 students per year call this plaza,” said Dyron Murphy, Navajo, and contemporary art while acknowledging 140-acre campus home, Martin said. As principle of Dyron Murphy Architects. the history and artistic expression that many as 112 tribes are represented on Murphy was an intern during the 1990s came before,” he said. “Now you see our campus any given year—with about 80 and helped design IAIA’s master plan. artists at the Santa Fe Indian Market or percent of all students coming from in- IAIA opened its doors at its new loca- the Heard Museum or other places. Every digenous communities across the country. tion in 2000. time there’s Native art, there’s always a

Although this historically Native “Everything radiates from that central connection to us.” 0 OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS INSTITUTE

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Sequoyah Schools’ Superintendent Leroy really rewarding because I don’t have to Qualls said in a press release. “Sequoyah worry about the price of college,” said Sequoyah is consistently one of the top schools in Red Eagle, Otoe-Missouria, who will the nation in the number of Gates Mil- attend Dartmouth College and study lennium Scholarship recipients each year, political science, in a press release. “My Gates which is something we take great pride in.” family can’t afford to help pay for school, Sequoyah High School has produced so I would be forced to pay everything Sequoyah High School out of pocket or take on thousands of Graduates Five Gates dollars in student loans. I don’t have to worry about that now.” Scholars “I wasn’t expecting to get it, so I’m Every year the Bill and Melinda Gates extremely relieved,” said Ummerteskee, Foundation awards 1,000 minority stu- a Cherokee Nation citizen who will at- dents, 150 of which are Native American, tend the University of Tulsa and major up to $250,000 in college scholarships. in pre-med and chemical engineering. This year, five of those scholarships are “If I didn’t get it, I wasn’t going to be going to seniors at Sequoyah High School able to go to my first choice for college, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. because I didn’t have the money to pay Sequoyah’s 2015 Gates Millennium Sequoyah High’s Millenium Scholars for it. Gates allows me to attend the col- Scholars are Sadie Red Eagle, 18, of La lege I really want to go to.” Mesa, California; Tyler VonHolt, 18, and 63 Gates Scholars since 2002. According VonHolt, Cherokee, will attend Rogers Payne Ummerteskee, 17, both of Muld- to the American Indian Graduate Center, State University and major in pre-med. row; and Bailee Smith, 17, and Billy Sun- which chooses American Indian recipients Smith, Choctaw, will attend Northeast- day III, 19, both of Tahlequah. for the scholarship, Sequoyah is among ern State University and study elementary “It is a tribute to the hard work and the highest producers of Gates Scholars in education. Sunday, Cherokee Nation, will dedication shown by our students to be the country every year. attend the University of Hawaii and major selected as Gates Millennium Scholars,” “To be named a Gates Scholar feels in athletic training. 0

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 18 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY Chasing Turtles Chasing Turtles (Very Slowly) For Science and Fun CHRISTINA ROSE

At Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, South to know for conservation. Say you are Dakota, students are on a fast track putting a road right through their area, thanks to the Ornate Box Turtle Project. that’s not going to stop them from going With access to field work often reserved to the spot.” for master’s level programs, Allesandra The students have come to know some Higa, professor of Conservation Biol- of the turtles well. “There is one we call ogy at OLC, said, “This project has re- Stumpy because he has three and a half ally improved higher education for our legs. He makes his way around just as students.” It will also improve the lives well as the others,” Griffith said. of the turtles. Students attach tiny transmitters to The project is led by Higa in collabo- the turtles, which send a radio signal ration with consultants Dr. Hugh and to a receiver in order to track them. Holly Quinn, local experts on the hab- The turtles are tracked every three days its, habitats, and ecology of reptiles and from March to October, and the stu- amphibians in South Dakota. dents have amassed more than 1,000 lo- The turtles were located by turtle- cations for them. For the most part, the sniffing dogs. “Every time we find a turtles spend their days eating, traveling Professor Allesandra Higa teaches Conserva- turtle, we mark it on a map and we can from one area to another, and reproduc- tion Biology at Oglala Lakota College. see all the places he’s been in a year or ing. But if there are other activities the two,” explained student Camille Griffith, turtles are engaged in, this research may Through the box turtles, Tada Vargas, who has been tracking the turtles since reveal it, Griffith said. Lakota, a junior at OLC, learned how to 2012. “Some only travel [65.5 feet] in a The transmitters stay attached to the do DNA extraction, amplify fragments year and others have gone a mile. They turtles for a year, even as they burrow of DNA, and boost sequencing through come back to the same spots over and to hibernate, travel through vegetation, OLC’s collaboration with Black Hills over again, which is really important and reproduce. State University. She is now furthering her work in genetics through a bison project and believes she will continue in the field of genetics after she graduates. The idea for the program began in 2009, when Higa, who is from Brazil, was teaching a field ecology class with Dr. Hugh Quinn at an OLC Summer Course. When a student arrived holding a box turtle, Higa asked him where he found it. “He said, ‘Crossing the road.’ The next day another student found another turtle and brought it to us and this happened for three consec- utive days,” she said. Higa and the students did a search in the South Dakota Heritage database which tracks wildlife in the state. They found only 19 historical records of box turtles in South Dakota, and the records were decades old. Griffith said, “They didn’t know how many there were, but they knew there was a lot of threats.”

Some of the intrepid turtle hunters, coming out of their shells People pose a threat to the turtles H. QUINN (3)

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through illegal international trade for turtle meat and keeping the turtles as pets. “Unlike other types of turtles, the box turtles don’t survive well as pets,” Griffith said. Coyotes and raccoons, which will eat juvenile turtles, also pose a threat. Flyers about the turtles are posted around the Pine Ridge Reservation— where OLC is located—and even children have been able to learn about them in the field. “Now if people see a turtle in the road, they will stop to help them cross the road,” Griffith said. Higa said the project has been as good for the students as it has been for the turtles. “We knew the turtles could be here but we didn’t know where. We didn’t know how many, or if the population is stable or declining. This is why there is a state of concern, because of the lack of information. With our study we can do a deeper analysis to see if the species is in danger or in any stress.” 0 Wendy Green, Allesandra Higa, and Osceola Bluehorse gather data. LITEFOOT Musician • Actor • Speaker • Author

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 20 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY

Sealaska Doles of the impact the scholarship and in- cellor of Enrollment Management ternship programs provide,” Sealaska for University of Alaska Southeast, I President and CEO Anthony Mallott support the recently launched Come Out 289 said in the release. “Not only is she Home to Alaska program. It allows a driven to obtain her degree, but she student from the lower 48 with family Scholarships to also is gaining valuable experience ties in Alaska to avoid the non-resi- as a 2015 Sealaska intern with the fi- dent tuition surcharge. For the average College Students nance department in Juneau. Both the full-time student, that is a $12,000 an- scholarship and internship programs nual savings. Marissa Brakes, an undergraduate are examples of Sealaska’s priority on Sealaska has funded the scholarship student studying criminal justice at leadership development and capacity program since the early 1980s, and Boise State University, is just one of building for our shareholders.” set up a scholarship endowment in 289 Sealaska scholarship recipients for This year’s scholarships total 1989. The organization also contrib- the 2015-2016 academic year. And this $459,000. “Every dollar that Sealaska utes to the program through Sealaska award is important to her. contributes to scholarships is a long- Timber Corporation, a benefit of the “My goal is to obtain my undergrad- term investment into our community,” timber harvest program. Between the uate degree, debt free,” Brakes said in a Sealaska Chair Joe Nelson said in the scholarship endowment fund and the press release. “The scholarship I receive release. “With more than half of our corporation, $13.1 million has been from Sealaska allows me not to take out 22,000 shareholders living outside of contributed to the scholarship pro- a loan. Plus, I only have to work part- Alaska, we need to make conscious gram, which is managed by the Seal- time while attending school full-time.” efforts to bring some of our best and aska Heritage Institute out of Juneau, “Marissa’s story is a great example brightest back home. As vice chan- Alaska. 0

NTU Graduates 185 Students—7 With Bachelor’s Degrees

In 2013, Navajo Technical University pushed to become a university, it did so JoVanna Becenti of Coyote Canyon NTU Commencement to allow more students the opportunity to earn baccalaureate degrees. The school These weren’t just any bachelor’s outstanding scientists and engineers. carried out that mission on May 15, when degrees either—these seven students A total of 185 students earned a cer- seven students graduated with bachelor’s earned degrees in STEM fields. It was tificate, an associate’s, or a bachelor’s degrees during spring commencement. fitting that Dr. Stan Atcitty, Distin- degree at the commencement—that guished Member of Technical Staff breaks down to 64 students who re- at Sandia National Laboratories in ceived an associate’s, and 114 who the Energy Storage Technology and earned a certificate. 0 Systems department, was the commencement speaker for the event. In 2006, Atcitty was recognized as the first American Indian male to receive a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering. In 2012, President Barack Obama presented him with the Presi- dential Early Career Award for Scien- tist and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government for

Sherietta Brown and Tim Goodluck Jr. embrace. Proud owners of Applied Science degrees TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY (4) NAVAJO

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 21

Getting Ahead with said Shonday Harmon, a citizen of the Harmon said that some students pair Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and MJIL pro- the MJIL program with a bachelor’s degree University of Tulsa: gram director. “It’s really interesting too, our in Native American Studies so they can go student body comes from all walks of life.” on to teach. Online Indian Law Students range from traditional age The online program consists of 30 credit students, just finishing bachelor’s degrees, hours with seven required courses and a Program Offered to professional adults like attorneys and capstone master project. Other classes judges going back to school to study In- include Introduction to the Federal Legal The Master of Jurisprudence in Indian dian law. and Administrative System, Principles of Law program at the University of Tulsa She said the program gets students who Federal Indian Law, Tribal Government, College of Law started in the fall of 2011 are already employed with their tribal Introduction to Legal Writing, Research with 10 students. The two-year program communities, and the program can make Methods in Indian Law. graduated its first class of four in the them more promotable from within. “Having the flexibility to work with an spring of 2013. This year, the program Harmon also told ICMTN about Dr. online program is something that is really graduates seven students. Fred Knowles, Chair of the Native Amer- valuable to me,” said Lauren Truitt, a staff With the current student enrollment, ican Studies program at Valdosta State attorney and now 2015 MJIL graduate, in more than 30 tribes are represented in the University. “He was already teaching at a video. “I wouldn’t have been able to pur- program, and even a couple of First Na- a different university, he picked up our sue a degree like this had it not been online. tions students, the MJIL program is useful degree to help him with his current Na- Classes are tailored to people who don’t for several career paths. “As the program tive American Studies program,” Harmon necessarily come from a law background.” director, I’m really fascinated by what the said. “He now teaches Indigenous Rights For more information about the MJIL student’s intentions are with the degree,” with us.” program visit MasterinLaw.utulsa.edu. 0

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 22 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY

Some proud UNM graduates on May 6 were, from Is There A Doctor left, Yvette Brown, MD; Olivia McLendon, BA; Kendall Brown, MSN; in the House? Dana Wilson, Pharm. D.; Elaine Garrett, BSDH; Raelynn Benally, BSN; Glynna Stump, BSN; Armanda Herrera, BSN; Travis Townsend, MD; Shawndell Bowers, BSDH; Kenna Sheak, MD; Sophia Barker, Pharm. D.; Micah Clark, MS; Sima Manavi, MD; and Lisa Antonio, MD. Tassy Parker, PhD, RN, Director CNAH-IIKD, is on the far right.

UNM Graduates 39 Native Medical Professionals It was really nice that there was a com- tanya h. lee the success of our students depends on munity already set up and you had peo- The University of New Mexico the support of their families and comple you could go talk to. If you needed Health Sciences Center graduated a munities.” help there were people who could help. record 39 American Indians in the Other programs at the university Or commiserate with you if you were health professions. also recruit American Indian students having a hard time.” The center has “We could almost open our own hos- into the medical field. The New Mexico books and reference materials, comput- pital!” quipped Tassy Parker, Seneca, who legislature funds a BA/MD program in ers, printers and a phone for students to holds several positions at the university, collaboration with the UNM College of use, as well as a refrigerator, microwave including director of the Center for Na- Arts and Sciences and the UNM School and sink for breaks. tive American Health. Established as part of Medicine. Students apply in their se- “Because there are so few Native of the Health Sciences Center in 2002, nior year of high school and if they are American students here I don’t think we the CNAH partners with New Mexico’s accepted they join a cohort of about 25 would find each other if it weren’t for 22 tribes around health issues, addresses students. They stay together for four the student center. Our schedules are health disparities and runs a student re- years of college, then take the entrance cruitment and retention program. exam for medical school. If they get high The May 2015 graduates included 9 enough scores, they are automatically MDs, 17 nurses, 4 doctors of pharmacy, admitted to the UNM School of Medi- 2 physician assistants, 2 dental hygienists, cine, Parker explained. a master of public health and a master of Kenna Sheak, Creek/Cherokee, was health education. Three students earned a beneficiary of that program. She was bachelor’s degrees in medical labs. born and went to school in Grants, New One of the signature programs at the Mexico, then started college at UNM CNAH is student development. “We and has pretty much stayed there, she make lots of visits to really remote areas said. Sheak just began her residency in to talk to students about opportunities pediatrics at the university’s School of here at the university,” Parker said. Medicine. Families are welcome at CNAH pre- Sheak describes another key advan- sentations. “We often ask the families to tage offered to American Indian stu- come so they can understand what the dents through the CNAH. The Dr. Ervin process is, how long their children will Lewis Native American Student Center be gone from the community, how do is a gathering place for students and a they know that they will be OK? We try resource room. to get the families engaged as much as Sheak said the group who frequents possible because we know that part of the center “is very welcoming and open. Micah Clark, Master’s in Health Education (3) UP PHOTOGRAPHY MORGAN, SHOOT’EM DALLAS

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 23

Adequate financial aid is critical to student success, said Sima Manavi, Navajo/ Irani, who graduated with an MD in May and is now doing her residency at the Califor- nia Pacific Medical Center. “The hardest thing in college [for some students] is not being able to focus on school because they have a lot of financial struggles. Having Travis Townsend, psychiatrist in the money to go to school is Albuquerque especially important if you want to go to medical school different and we are in differ- because it’s not easy. ent classes and different pro- “I went to college basically grams,” Dana Wilson, who for free,” she said, “because just graduated with a doctor- I applied for so many schol- ate in pharmacy, said. “It was arships. I focused on schol- helpful to know there were arships available for Native other Native American stu- American students, particu- dents around going through larly Navajo students, such the same thing that you were as businesses on the reser- going through.” vation and the Navajo tribal Another function of the government.” CNAH is to help students Students need to actively find ways to pay for medical seek and apply for oppor- school. “We have a number tunities available to them. of options,” said Parker, in- “The biggest thing that Na- cluding “financial aid avail- tive American students who able through the federal are pursuing higher educa- government and tribal fund- tion is to realize that there ing streams. The university are resources out there for itself can also provide some every aspect of their career, Seattle University School of Law offers scholarships.” they just need to look for the full-tuition Douglas R. Nash Native IHS Indians Into Medi- them,” Manavi said. American Law Scholarship. cine grants have been avail- Parkers says the CNAH able for the past four years. owes its success to the sup- Our Center for Indian Law and Policy The current grant period has port of UNM Health Sci- provides educational and training ended, but Parker said she ences Center Chancellor opportunities that benefit students, tribes hopes IHS will be able to add Paul Roth, MD, MS, and to and communities. another IIM program to the the Health Sciences Center three it already has. Associate Vice Chancellor Join our diverse student body and we’ll “We don’t know how soon for Academic Affairs Leslie help you become a great lawyer and that might happen,” she says. Morrison, MD. Morrison powerful advocate for justice. “But even with loss of that “has been an unwavering Learn more at www.law.seattleu.edu/admission program, we can leverage the source of support for our resources that we currently student development initia- have here at the CNAH, as tive,” said Parker. 0 well as across campus. Also Apply for free until February 1! we have some private sector For more information about funders who earmark their opportunities in medicine for contributions for American American Indian students at Indians going into the health UNM, contact Micah Clark, professions.” 505-272-9873.

Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 24 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY

most impossible that I didn’t know about college opportunities,” he said. “At Fort Holding the Fort Lewis College, it’s not just a tuition waiver but an opportunity for Natives to go to college.” Lewis Line on Fort Lewis offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines, including programs in science, technology and math, and it boasts more than 80 registered student Free Tuition organizations. With 162 tribes represented—including several from Alas- alysa landry ka—it’s in the running for most diverse campus in the nation. But this small liberal arts college perched atop a hill overlooking Durango is becoming a source of controversy for Colorado as the annual tuition tab increases. More than 1,100 Native students enrolled last year, comprising 30 percent of the total student population—and plac- ing an unprecedented financial strain on the state. Colorado last year paid $16 million in tuition for Native students at Fort Lewis, with $15 million of that for out-of-state students. The growing bill pits a century- old charter against contemporary questions of who should foot the bill. “A lot of people don’t understand the tuition waiver,” said Yvonne Bilinski, director of the college’s Native American Center. “All they understand is that it’s costing the state of Colorado X number of million dollars per year and Indians get Mortar boards and big smiles at Fort Lewis Commencement something for free. That rankles people.” Bilinski, Navajo, did a public presen- Before he even considered going to col- greater. He was poised to become a first- tation earlier this year to help people lege, Byron Tsabetsaye ruled it out. generation college graduate, but he didn’t “go back in time” and put things into While attending high school on the know where to start. perspective. Navajo Nation, Tsabetsaye didn’t know Then a friend introduced him to Fort Fort Lewis began as an Army post in anything about college applications, fi- Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. nearby Pagosa Springs, Colorado, in 1878, nancial aid or selecting a major. An aver- Fort Lewis awards more bachelor’s de- and was relocated to Hesperus two years age student, Tsabetsaye said his teachers grees to Natives than any other college or later. In 1891, it was decommissioned and didn’t expect him to go to college, so he university in the United States. Only one converted into a federal Indian board- didn’t either. other institution, the University of Min- ing school, pulling students mainly from “As a student on the reservation, it was nesota, Morris, offers free tuition to Na- Southwest tribes and educating them in hard to find support in terms of people tive students. trades like sewing, cooking, farming and encouraging me to go to college or telling Tsabetsaye enrolled and excelled. He animal husbandry, Bilinski said. me how to get there,” he said. “There just served as student body president before In 1911, the fort was transferred to the wasn’t the expectation, and so I limited graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree state of Colorado to establish an agricul- myself and my views on higher education. in English in 2013. He finished a Master tural and mechanical arts high school. Ap- I ruled it out because I thought my parents of Arts degree in higher education and proved by Congress, the deed came with couldn’t afford it.” student affairs this spring at New York the stipulation that the facility would “be Yet Tsabetsaye, the son of a home- University, but he attributes his success to maintained as an institution of learning maker and a Navajo Housing Authority Fort Lewis. to which Indian students will be admitted employee, was destined for something “Looking back at myself, it seems al- free of tuition and on equality with white (2) LEWIS COLLEGE FORT

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cord-high tuition bills for the state and zona were territories. Modern transpor- prompting Colorado lawmakers to seek tation didn’t exist. We had horses and not federal assistance. The Native American much else.” Indian Education Act, introduced in the Now, Natives are still the most under- House by Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton, served population in America, Thomas has attracted at least 40 co-sponsors. The said. According to a 2011 report on Senate is considering a similar bill, spon- Minorities in Education, American In- sored by Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner. dians and Alaska Natives account for The bill is the second attempt in the only 0.7 percent of the bachelor’s de- last two years to relieve Colorado of the grees awarded annually. burden of paying tuition for all Native There’s no question Fort Lewis Col- Crowning the Miss Hozhoni winner students when the majority of them come lege is helping to bridge that gap, Thom- from out of state. It calls on the Secretary as said. It’s No. 1 in the nation when it students” in perpetuity. of Education to pay tuition for all out-of- comes to Natives earning bachelor’s de- Although it began as an Indian board- state students at both Fort Lewis College grees in the STEM fields. ing school, only nine Native students and the University of Minnesota, Mor- But to Thomas, the tuition waiver—un- were enrolled in 1957, the year after the ris, while cautioning that failure to do so intended and underfunded as it may be— school moved from Hesperus to a 250- puts the tuition waivers “at risk of being means more than enrollment numbers or acre plot in Durango, Bilinski said. Seven terminated by severe budget constraints success stories. years later, Fort Lewis awarded its first being experienced by these colleges and “We are a country of laws and prin- baccalaureate degrees, and by 1970, Na- the states which support them.” ciples,” she said. “When we look at what tive enrollment had ballooned to 192. Fort Lewis College President Dene Kay the country has taken from Native Amer- “Obviously, they came because of the Thomas supports the bill “to the core.” icans, to suggest that we don’t owe them tuition waiver,” Bilinski said. “That’s the “I will be the first to admit that nobody education as a federal trust responsibility most expensive part of education.” could have seen the national impact that disregards the enormous sweep of histo- Since 2009, the Native population has the charter would have,” she said. “If you ry. This is the moral, ethical, right thing increased by 43, percent, yielding re- think back to then, New Mexico and Ari- t o d o.” 0 JACKSON HARRIS JACKSON

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 26 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY

American Indian Joan Currier, the organization’s Chief in Accounting.” The scholarship program Operating Officer, describes the orga- provides financial assistance to undergrad- Graduate Center nizations’ work as straightforward and uate and graduate American Indian and holistic. “The idea is simply to provide Alaska Native full-time students seeking Now Focuses on scholarships for Native students, and pro- an accounting degree. We recently had 64 vide advisement and resources to our stu- applications for this inaugural scholarship. All Levels of dents to help them to be successful. We The “Wells Fargo American Indian will fund over 800 students per year. Our Scholarship” is an undergraduate schol- Higher Education main goal is to fund students in higher arship available to enrolled members of stephine poston education, and to support them through federally recognized tribes pursuing a ca- degree completion,” Currier said. “We reer or degree in fields related to banking, The higher education industry is boom- work with students throughout the coun- resort management, gaming operations, ing. According to the U.S. Department try who are pursuing degrees in all fields and management and administration. of Education, National Center for Edu- of study. I think we probably surpass any This academic year there were 178 schol- cation Statistics, enrollment projections other organizations by the breadth of stu- arship applications. in post-secondary, degree-granting dents that we are able to help.” The U.S. Department of Interior also institutions is expected to increase 15 entrusted AIGC with administering the percent from 2010 to 2021. Despite an $60 million Cobell Scholarship Fund. extended period of growth among U.S. The fund was established to defray the colleges and universities, the hurdle of cost of attendance at both post-second- paying for higher education persists. ary vocational schools and institutions The National Center for Education Sta- of higher education, including gradu- tistics found that between 2002–2003 and ate and professional schools. There were 2012–2013, prices for undergraduate tu- 3,441 applications and 294 scholarships ition, room, and board at public institutions awarded; 2 vocational certificates, 256 rose 39 percent, and prices at private non- undergraduate and 36 graduate students. profit institutions rose 27 percent, after ad- Flintco, a century-old commercial justment for inflation. construction company with offices in That’s where the American Indian Jamie Lea Frederick, AIGC scholarship recipient Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ten- Graduate Center (AIGC) comes in. AIGC nessee and Memphis, worked with AIGC works to build, promote, and honor self- AIGC, which operates as a national to establish a scholarship specific to stu- sustaining American Indian and Alaska private 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Al- dents interested in a career in construction Native communities through education buquerque, New Mexico, has disbursed management. The partnership between and leadership. Historically, the organiza- some 17,000 undergraduate and gradu- AIGC and Flintco began in 2015. tion provided scholarships and fellowships ate fellowships totaling over $55 million The list of partnerships forged by to graduate students, but in recent years since established in 1969. AIGC includes tribal donors like the San has expanded its scholarships and services If you consider the impact of just one Manuel Band of Mission Indians and to include undergraduate and vocational American Indian or Alaska Native stu- Wells Fargo Bank, as well as a long-list programs. dent reaching graduation because of the of individual, personal donors. Many of AIGC supports any field of study at financial support offered through AIGC, them are AIGC alumni. the undergraduate and graduate levels. the impact of the organization’s collective “AIGC has never veered from its pur- Nineteen percent of undergraduate re- efforts are an educational game-changer pose to support education and leader- cipients are in the Business fields, which in Indian country. AIGC manages a ship in Indian country, and as a result include International Business, Busi- number of scholarship programs—some we’ve grown fellowships specific to public ness Administration, Accounting, Eco- specialized in various fields of study and health, nursing, library science, fine arts, nomics and Finance. Seventeen percent others more general—through partner- journalism, medicine, dentistry, finance, of undergraduate recipients are in the ships with private industry and public construction, business, and accounting, to Science, Technology, Engineering and agencies. The breadth and pedigree of supplement the funds that are available to Mathematics (STEM) fields. organizations involved with AIGC is a students in all fields of study,” Currier said. Twenty-five percent of graduate recipi- testament to AIGC’s efficacy in reaching “We’ve adapted how we make connections ents are in health fields, which include all American Indian and Alaska Native stu- and identify new scholarship programs medical degrees and public health. Elev- dents at all levels of education. for American Indian and Alaska Native en percent of graduate recipients are in REDW, New Mexico’s largest locally- students. We want every student to have the education fields, which include mas- owned certified public accounting and the opportunity to enter a higher educa- ters and doctoral degrees in Education business consulting firm, in 2015 created tion program and complete that program.

Leadership and Administration. the “REDW Native American Scholarship AIGC makes that possible.” 0 CENTER AMERICAN INDIAN GRADUATE

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29 Natives Graduated from University of Minnesota Thanks to SMSC Scholarship This year the University of Minnesota grad- pay for it. This scholarship is making a Law school may also be in her future. uated 29 Native American students thanks tremendous impact on many people in Graduates at the celebration were hon- to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Minnesota and across the U.S.,” she said ored by SMSC with a star quilt, and con- Community (SMSC) Endowed gratulated by friends and family. Scholarship program. Those 29 “The SMSC endowed schol- students were celebrated on April arship is here to ensure that de- 25. This is the sixth graduating serving students like you have class that has received the SMSC the chance to overcome financial scholarship, representing 21 tribes hurdles and become the next from across the United States. generation of leaders in your Any student in financial need communities,” said SMSC Vice from any University of Min- Chairman Keith B. Anderson in nesota campus is eligible for the release. the SMSC scholarship. Scholar- In the past seven years almost ship recipient, Carla Big Bear, a 200 Native American students member of the Mille Lacs Band have received the SMSC En- of Ojibwe, who graduated in This was the sixth graduating class for SMSC dowed Scholarship. The schol- May from the University of Min- arship program was established nesota Duluth with a master’s degree, with a $2.5 million gift from the Sha- spoke at the celebration. “The SMSC in a press release. Her degree in tribal ad- kopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Scholarship program let me focus more ministration and governance will aid her 2009. The University of Minnesota matches on learning than on how I was going to on her way to work in Washington, D.C. the interest earned on the fund. 0

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 28 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY Tribal College Students Face Challenges to Graduate christina rose

Tribal colleges face different challenges and a greater lack of resources than most other higher education institutions. When tribal colleges lack resources, it’s graduation rates that suffer. However, there is also good news. The American Indian College Fund is growing, and in the last year, $7.1 million in scholarships was distributed to students and tribal colleges. Yet, according to Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull, CEO and president of the Col- lege Fund, tribal colleges are still stretched very thin. Crazy Bull said colleges face “such incredible shortages of resources that the lack of investment is harmful to students. I really hope the tribal colleges will eventually be fully funded with all the resources they need to be competitive in the higher education w or l d .” Staying in college is not easy for rural Native students who live in impoverished areas. Because tribal colleges are open to all high school graduates, real eligibility is deter- Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund mined by their finances. “There are federal guidelines that surrounds fi- with Pell, which is the main source of colleges are seeing declining en- nancial eligibility and there are limits federal financial aid, and you have to rollment, Crazy Bull said. “When on how much of a Pell Grant you can make academic progress or progress I talked to the presidents, a lot of get,” Crazy Bull said. towards your degree. There are so them attribute it to the stressors that Students receiving financial aid can many factors that affect low income are going on in the communities, the lose their funding if a college doesn’t and students of color who don’t have drugs, lack of finances, resources. It’s provide necessary classes within a the experience or wherewithal to so frustrating because there is really certain period of time. “You only stay on track.” a very rich cultural environment, but have so many semesters to finish Some of the more isolated tribal the poverty and lack of resources is FUND AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 29 debilitating,” Crazy Bull said. It isn’t just students who struggle, but the colleges themselves. “Tribal colleges have to make decisions about where they will allocate resources,” Crazy Bull said. “From a leadership perspective, a tribal college president has to ADVANCE deal with the faculty, student issues, accreditation issues, and the facility, as well as make decisions about allocating YOUR CAREER resources. It’s very challenging.” Generally speaking, tribal colleges reflect the economy Earn a Master’s in Indian Law degree for non-lawyers of their local reservations. The College Fund website completely online from a Top 100 University. states that unemployment rates on reservations can be as high as 85 percent. Native youth face some of the lowest high school graduation rates nationwide and have the lowest educational attainment rates of all ethnic and racial groups. Less than 13 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native students have earned a college degree, compared to 28 percent in other racial groups. The high school graduation rate has improved in some places but overall it hasn’t, Crazy Bull said. “Statistically, it’s pretty much the same. But there are some places where there has been an increase in graduating students.” “Things are so tough in our communities that I am con- stantly reminding the staff that we are in the business of saving people’s lives. People might not realize it because they don’t have that kind of engagement with tribal communities, but I see it,” she said. Attracting students and keeping them in school is dif- ficult and extremely important, Crazy Bull said, especially in light of the suicide crisis facing many reservations. “I would speculate that going to college could have an impact on whether or not a kid might commit suicide,” she said. She added that students in tribal colleges tend to create extended families, “a cohort of relationships.” The tribal colleges also offer an environment of acceptance and support. Access to college wellness resources could potentially get them through some of the challenges they face, Crazy Bull said. “It is also interesting to speculate that school provides structure. When I was a school superintendent, I used to tell kids, you know what? If you come to school, you get to be in a safe place and you get to develop the skills to cope with what’s going on out there that’s not safe.” The College Fund was established by the American In- dian Higher Education Consortium and serves accred- Apply now for Spring 2016 ited full members of AIHEC. Their hope is to meet the national goal set by education providers: that 60 percent masterinlaw.utulsa.edu of adults attain a post-secondary education. “For that to happen, the colleges have to engage more with recruit- ment and help students stay in school,” Crazy Bull said. the university of AIHEC is a membership organization that provides service to the 34 accredited tribal colleges and associate member colleges not yet accredited. “The tribal colleges are badly needed and we badly need more,” Crazy Bull said. Regarding the recent decline in attendance, she said, “I just College of Law think young people are not seeing the kind of future we wish they would see.” 0

Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 30 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY Tohono O’odham Community College Gets Top-Notch Art Degree Program

christina rose

going to be inviting other tribal colleges to send their students here for Fine Arts.” On March 16, 2015 the college signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of American Indian Arts, in New Mexico, which will allow TOCC’s AFA graduating students in good stand- ing to transfer there. The AFA degree program hosts a full range of courses based on a strong art curriculum. “They are getting the real deal here, so they can transfer any- where,” Lund said, noting that last fall, the students had their first exhibition at the Tri-National Gallery in Ajo, Ari- zona, and two students sold their work. “There is a natural visual, intuitive, and spatial ability in the population here that is astonishing,” she said. In November, artist Shelly Tay- lor, Klamath, was brought on board to teach Drawing 1. Attending an art school with a degree program has Three TOCC students work on print projects while one works on a drawing project. meaning for her. When she attended the Art Institute of Tucson, she was Fransisco A. Fraire Jr. has been drawing Ph.D. There she developed two colleges, devastated to later find that none of her for as long as he can remember. Now he’s including the College of Fine Arts at the credits transferred to IAIA. a student at Tohono O’odham Commu- University of Sharjah in the United Arab Taylor comes to the school from the nity College, and thanks to a new Fine Emirates. Lund left the Middle East and Klamath Falls Reservation in Oregon. Arts Associate Degree program there, he returned to Arizona in 2008. She had minor concerns about teaching will be able to smoothly transition to the Dr. Mario Montes-Helu, TOCC’s aca- for a different tribe, but said it took only Institute of American Indian Arts to con- demic chair of general education, said a little while before she and the students tinue his education. Lund was hired last spring because of her reached a comfort level. “Something is “I really didn’t know about any pro- qualifications and experience developing working,” she laughed. “They are re- grams until I came here,” Fraire, 28, schools around the world. sponding, and students who have al- Pascua Yaqui, said. “Right now it’s my One of Lund’s immediate goals was to ready taken the class, are still coming second semester, and they are giving us ensure that students who earned their back to draw.” career goals.” Associate of Fine Arts degrees would be As a reading and drawing “nerd,” Tay- Kimberly Lund, Visual Art and Design able to pursue higher education. The new lor said she struggled to avoid the pitfalls Instructional faculty, was hired by To- arts program does that. “Once they get of reservation life. Surrounded by drugs hono O’odham Community College last that associate’s degree, they can now go to and drinking, and troubled by her best spring to start the program. Lund brings IAIA for their Bachelor’s Degree, which is friend’s suicide, Taylor said, “Art saved her experience from the Persian Gulf, fabulous,” Lund said. With the addition my life. My students know I understand where she went after completing her of the new program, she said, “We are historical trauma, and there are other (3) LUND KIMBERLY

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Creator by creating. It is not ‘just art.’ It is everything that we are.” Student Christina Garcia, Tohono O’odham, took the drawing class some- what on a whim and is surprised at how much she enjoys it. “I am in the beginning stages,” she said. “I didn’t know if I could draw, and now I am being told I have a hidden talent.” Garcia started with Basic Drawing and said it brings peace to her day. “It changes the mood in taking the other classes. There is a calm when you can Joyce Miguel’s artwork earned her third. break up your studies; there is a different Francisco Fraire works on his drawing. energy in the art classes,” she said. “My reasons we feel more comfortable in a go-to crafts until now have been baking, agreed, saying Lund “informed me of all tribal school setting. There is a common- cooking and sewing,” Garcia said, and the possibilities, and kind of gave me a ality and when we claim our identity, we admits she is looking forward to tak- sense of direction.” reach our potential.” ing more art classes. “This program is a TOCC is a small college in the Sonoran Taylor takes issue when people tell her, stepping stone. A lot of the classes filled Desert, located about 60 miles from ‘It’s just art.’ “In my experience, Natives up, just by word of mouth. Our instruc- Tucson, and 20 miles from the Mexican have a knack for visual space. We draw tors are really wonderful.” border. There are currently about 250 stu- things, we weave things, we bead things, Garcia said the new program will be a dents enrolled, and close to 20 in the art we create things. We are visual engineers, real boon to the community, especially department. The college began as a voca- to my mind,” she said. “When we create, for the students who have not had the optional school and is becoming much more we honor creation in us, so we honor portunity to take their art further. Fraire focused on education, Lund said. 0

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 32 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 12 Places to Find College Scholarships for Native Students Application deadlines vary for scholarships offered by the American Indian College Fund. For more information, visit CollegeFund.org. Catching the Dream operates three scholarship programs for Native students—MESBEC, the Native American Leadership Education program and the Tribal Business Management program. MESBEC includes math, engineering, science, business, education and com- puters and is the oldest program. “These fields are the ones in which tribes need graduates the most, and the fields in which there are the fewest Indian graduates,” says the Catching the Dream website. For more information, visit Catching theDream.org. The American Indian Science and Engineering Society provides scholarships to Native students in an effort to increase the representation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in STEM— Student ambassadors at the College Fund gala in Chicago science, technology, engineering and math—fields. While most parents and students are just High School. “I spent six months on it. The 2015 AISES National Conference thinking about getting back to school, I probably spent two months on one es- will be held November 19-21 in Phoe- high school students should always be s ay a l on e .” nix, Arizona. Applications for travel thinking about applying to as many For more information, and to apply, scholarships to attend and information scholarships as possible. The more mon- visit GMSP.org. about scholarships offered, can be found ey that can be earned through scholar- The American Indian College Fund at AISES.org. ships means less loans to pay back later. has been providing Native students TheAssociation on American Indian The Gates Millennium Scholars pro- with scholarships and other support Affairs began in 1922 as the Eastern As- gram chooses 1,000 minority students since 1989. The organization recently sociation on Indian Affairs. It was start- each year—150 of which are Native—to celebrated its 25th anniversary with ed to help protect the land rights of a receive scholarships of up to $250,000 two galas—one in New York City and group of Pueblo. It became the AAIA in that are good until they graduate at one in Chicago. 1946 and awarded its first scholarship in a university of their choice. Just keep “As a child of a large family, I know it 1948. For more information on scholar- in mind that while becoming a Gates is my responsibility to fund my educa- ships offered, visit Indian-Affairs.org. Scholar will be worth the effort, it won’t tion,” Miranda Perez, Menomiee, said Indian Country Today Media Network be an easy task. at the Chicago gala. She was the stu- offers a convenient list of scholarships for “The application process was re- dent ambassador chosen to speak at the Native students to browse through while ally grueling,” said Lakin Keener, 18, event, and is a recipient of College Fund they decide where to apply. View the a 2013 Gates Scholar from Sequoyah scholarships. full list at IndianCountryTodayMedia FUND AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE

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Network.com. is written by Maggie O’Neill, a North- As the website says, the Horatio Al- The Indian Health Service Schol- ern Nevada researcher who specializes ger Association Scholarship is “one of arships website says: “The IHS Schol- in scholarship resources and grants the nation’s largest need-based college arship Program provides qualified for minorities and veterans. With a scholarship programs in the country, American Indian and Alaska Native long list of resources including chari- which specifically assists high school health professions students an op- table organizations, corporate institu- students who have faced and overcome portunity to establish an educational tions and direct links to the application great obstacles in their young lives.” foundation for each stage of your pre- process, the blog is a resource with a With over 70 programs that it adminis- professional careers.” considerable amount of generous guid- ters to students and minorities, Scholars. Having served nearly 7,000 students ance. To check it out, visit Accredited HoratioAlger.org is another great option. who work for the IHS, private health SchoolsOnline.org. The Fastweb database is one of the facilities or their own communities, the Since it was founded in 1969, the largest aggregators of student scholar- scholarship program, “provides finan- American Indian Graduate Center, ships, and can be a good source for Na- cial support in exchange for a minimum headquartered in Albuquerque, New tive students who want to look for more two-year service commitment within an Mexico has awarded more than 16,000 than just Native-specific scholarships. Dr. Indian health program in your chosen scholarships totaling over $44 million Dean Chavers, director of Catching the health professional discipline.” to graduate students in all fields of Dream said there are fewer than 200 Na- For more information on what is of- study. tive scholarships listed on Fastweb.com, fered, visit IHS.gov/scholarship. As an organization that says its mis- so applying to as many as the student The Bureau of Indian Education sion is to: “Build, promote, and honor qualifies for is best. offers a long list of American Indian self-sustaining American Indian and “Native scholarships represent less than scholarships for undergraduate and Alaska Native communities through one-tenth of one percent of all scholar- graduate students in various amounts education and leadership,” They have ships,” Chavers says in his essay “How to involving essays, direct applications scholarships that are tribal, need-based, Find and Win Scholarships.” “We urge and more. To apply, visit BIE.edu and athletic, achievement-based, and much students to find all the scholarships they click on “Parents and Students.” more. Find all of the scholarships avail- are eligible for, and apply to them. Schol- The Accredited Schools Online Blog able at AIGCS.org. arships are not all equal.” 0

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2015EducationMag_QtrPage.indd 1 9/18/2015 2:56:23 PM Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRYSeptember TODAY 2, 2015 34 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY Love of Wisdom Group of Pueblo Indians Get Their PhDs at ASU

Doctoral candidate Corrine Sanchez, left, with her mother, as she gets ready to defend her dissertation.

This year’s graduating class at Arizo- School’s Leadership Institute. The pro- director of the Center of Indian Edu- na State University was special because gram is meant to train researchers and cation and ASU’s special adviser to the it may have included the largest group scholars within Pueblo communities. president on American Indian Affairs, of Native American doctoral gradu- “It’s really emotional. I don’t have pointed out in a press release, only one ates to ever collect degrees at one time, words to describe it,” Carnell Chosa, out of 7,000 Alaska Native and Native notes AZCentral.com. one of the graduates, told AZCentral. Americans who reach the ninth grade The 10 graduates are all Pueblo In- “It feels like a blessing and it feels, in a will go on to obtain a doctorate degree. dians who were a part of the first joint sense, like a miracle.” “This accomplishment is big stuff,” endeavor between ASU’s School of So- It is a big deal, as Bryan McKinley Brayboy said in the release. “Framing

cial Transformation and Santa Fe Indian Jones Brayboy, President’s Professor, the graduation and successful comple- (2) NEWS CHARLIE LEIGHT/ASU

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 35 tion of the program in those engaging youth through innova- stark terms, this is no joke.” tive community programs. “My re- “It’s a tremendous accom- search looks at what do we need to plishment because it’s not only do through programming to keep about statistical issues,” the our young people engaged and find program’s other co-director, a way to look at all of our Pueblo Elizabeth Sumida Huaman communities and bring them to- told AZCentral. “It’s really also gether, Chosa said in the release. about the type of work they’re “One of the things we did was to doing. These are extremely create a newsletter, which was to conscientious researchers. bring the voices of the youth back Their work is extremely ethi- into the communities by sharing cal, and their work is about their viewpoints with the elders. As moving their communities the world changes and our Pueblo forward through self-determi- changes, our form of engagement nation. When you talk about has to evolve.” social change or social trans- All of the graduates were able formation, this is it.” to complete their doctorates free The graduates, who got their of charge, with the majority of degrees on May 11, come from funding coming from the W.K. some of the 19 Pueblos in New Kellogg Foundation. Brayboy told Mexico, and received doctor- AZCentral that funding is the ates in topics like Justice Stud- program’s biggest challenge going ies and Social Inquiry. They all forward. He said they are wait- plan on returning to their coming to see if the foundation will munities to work. be renewing its grant for a second Like Chosa, who is focused on Cohort member Carnell Chosa group of students. 0

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 36 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY King of the NERDS Dahkota Kicking Bear Brown has met Obama, been on MTV and has hosted youth events that help make sure Native kids graduate vincent schilling In 2013, Dahkota Kicking Bear Brown was named one of five Champions for Change by the Center for Native Ameri- can Youth for his after-school study group NERDS. In the two years since, this 16-year-old Miwok youth has shown no signs of letting up—he has met with President Barack Obama, got a hug from the First Lady, has appeared on an MTV special, and has hosted two annual NERDS Native Youth conferences. NERDS – Native Education Rais- ing Dedicated Students – is an after- school group that focuses on helping Native students. Concerned for the welfare of his fellow students who were not on target for graduating, Brown, who is now a junior at Argonaut High School in Jackson, California, started the program while he was in 8th grade. “NERDS started as a group of friends, and has grown to a network of peers I now consider family,” he told ICTMN. “Our after-school program grew to be so successful we turned NERDS into a trademarked nonprofit. “Currently there are nine NERDS clubs throughout Northern California, and we have over 250 students who proudly call themselves NERDS and at least 19 students have now graduated who were before failing or struggling,” Brown explained. “We also have a recognized logo and a very successful summer school program.” Since being recognized as one of the initial five Champions for Change in 2013, Brown has continued to work for Indian country from his California home as well as in the nation’s capitol. As a result of his work, he has met with President Obama five times. One of those meetings was with the United States Senate Youth Program— Brown was the first federally recognized Native selected in the Hearst Founda- tion’s 53-year history. “They send 104 students a year and during the event, I

Dahkota Kicking Bear Brown has met with Obama five times. gifted the President a NERDS medal- VINCENT SHILLING

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 37 lion I beaded myself last summer. It is Brown invited a wide range of speak- across the country selected to be part the only one in existence.” ers to talk to hopeful students, like Dr. of the inaugural class of Gen-I. Brown even managed to get an em- Melissa Leal, who holds a Ph.D. in Na- William Mendoza, executive direc- brace from First Lady Michelle Obama. tive American Studies and was the lead tor of the White House Initiative on On April 8, Brown was asked to travel to American Indian and Alaska Native Washington, D.C. to moderate a youth Education, spoke to students about panel discussion at the White House Gen-I and the first ever National Na- as part of the Obama Administration’s tive Youth Conference, which was Gen-I Native Youth initiative, where he hosted over the summer in Wash- met the First Lady. “She hugged me, and ington, D.C. by the President and his we got our photo together,” Brown told White House staff. ICTMN. He’s eagerly anticipating get- Other speakers at the NERDS Con- ting a copy of that shot sent to him by ference spoke about applying to col- the White House staff. leges and scholarships, and there was Capitalizing on the success of his even a session on ways of ending teen after-school tutoring program, Brown suicide. “The guest speakers were took the NERDS name and created an amazing, but just a small part of the annual NERDS Youth Gathering, which Brown at the second annual NERDS youth day to make the gathering success- began in 2014. During his conference conference, held in February. ful. It is hard to believe that a group this February—which was created and of students, some barely old enough hosted by Brown—more than 130 Na- researcher for the “MTV World, Rebel to drive, organized the entire event,” tive youth from all over Northern Cali- Music: Native America” documentary. Brown said. There were 25 booths for fornia traveled to the event to learn Leal shared an MTV World promotion- students to browse including a number from a plethora of speakers and mentors al video as part of President Obama’s of colleges and organizations. about life after high school, including newest initiative geared toward Native During the event, the Jackson Ran- useful information about colleges and youth, called Generation Indigenous, cheria Band of Miwuk Indians donated universities, trade schools and careers and sometimes referred to as just Gen $5,000 to NERDS. in the military. I. Brown was one of 38 youths from The band has been supportive of the

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 14CNS-14_3.5x4.25.indd 1 9/11/15 2:33 PM 38 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY

Brown, with William Mendoza, center, from the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education program since Brown started it, pro- American Progress on how these rac- of the highest rates of violence, suicide, viding opportunities for community ist mascots affect our youth,” he said. substance abuse and health disparities service, and a primary funding source “There’s great research and remarks in the country. When we allow their to start NERDS, said Brown. “The from Native youth about why these heritage, culture, and community to 2nd Annual NERDS Youth Gathering mascots really do hurt. They dehu- be defined by a logo, mascot, or team would not have been possible without manize our Native peoples and take name, we’re only making it worse for the continued support of the Jackson away our cultural identity among non- them. That’s why our report lays out Band of Miwuk Indians,” he added, Natives. They have given non-Natives a recommendations for local, state, and thanking them repeatedly for their false sense of what Native people really federal education agencies to take ac- continued support. look or act like. tion and transform these unwelcome That money will be put to good “When people think of our Ameri- and hostile learning environments into use, too. NERDS will create an annu- can Indian and Alaska Native people, supportive ones for Native students.” al scholarship for graduating seniors they don’t think of 566 federally recog- Brown said people should not be who are part of the program, and will nized tribes across the country or 2.1 afraid to take a stand and speak out, be starting NERDS programs at other million youth that are falsely represent- boycott major sponsors and if the schools across the country. ed by the mascots and caricatures used Washington team has to change their Brown is also looking beyond his by teams with race based mascots. All name, all teams that use Native mascots school program, and hoping to help they see are football helmets and big- will follow. Native youth in other ways. One issue nosed heads on baseball jerseys.” Looking back on all of his work, that he’s very concerned about these “School is hard enough as it is,” said Brown said he is excited about what the days is the racist team names and mas- Erik Stegman, Director of Field Out- future will bring, but he has one regret. cots that disparage Native culture. reach and Advocacy for the Poverty to “When I met the First Lady, I was going “I encourage everybody to read the Prosperity Program at American Prog- to ask her daughter Malia to the prom,

report published by the Center for ress. “For Native youth, they face some but I chickened out.” 0 PHOTO COURTESY

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 39

I think the real message is telling every You can still have those traditions with- California other state that there is definitely evi- out a racist mascot. Those ‘traditions’ that dence that the use of this racial slur as a people hold—their ignorant and racist name is absolutely wrong. And our Cali- traditions—shouldn’t matter more than Bans Racist fornia legislature agrees with that. I think the traditions of an entire ethnic group. [this is] California leading by example, realizing that maybe it’s time for a change Out of all the 50 states, and that these racist mascots aren’t right. why do you think California Team Name is the first to do this? Why is this word “redskins” California has the largest Native popu- SIMON MOYA-SMITH particularly offensive? lation of any state. I have to give a lot of It’s demeaning. It’s hurtful. It dehuman- credit to Assemblymember Luis Alejo, On September 10, California became izes Natives just like any other [similar] who authored and carried the bill, who the first state in the country to pass a mascot and name. put in a lot of work making those con- bill banning the use of the word “red- nections with the various tribes and the skins” at its public schools—and Dah- What do you say to people who other legislators, and [he] just really kota Brown, an activist and Native argue, “It’s just a word, get over it”? pushed hard for this bill. American high school student, helped They definitely have a right to voice their make that happen. opinions, but the fact is that this word Five to 10 years from now, where Brown, 17, who spoke with ICTMN has caused harm—basically the word do you see the word “redskin”? about this victory, said he hopes the represents genocide in my eyes. The pain I think it’ll be completely gone.… As far other 49 states will follow suit by pass- and suffering this word has inflicted on as the Washington football team goes, ing similar legislation. so many people [should] be enough rea- I just don’t see them having very much son to be changed. time left with that mascot. I imagine What message is the state of the racial slur will be gone from our California sending to the How do you respond to people who school systems and will be gone from rest of the country? say, “But this is our tradition”? our sports teams. 0

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Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 091015TCJAd copy.indd 5 9/10/15 3:56 PM 40 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY Bad English: 34 Grammar Lessons to Help Students Write Better

Catching the Dream is looking for A+ essays

dr. dean chavers We ask students that apply to Catching the is the end of a line. They should only hit no association with it, which is not what Dream for a scholarship to send us their “enter” at the end of a paragraph. Most of the writer meant. essays early in their senior year so we can them will say “my mother” and not give Appraise, apprise. The first one means critique them. In 28 years we have gotten her name, tribe, occupation, location, and to estimate the value of something. Ap- exactly one A+ essay and one A level es- so on. This leaves the reader wondering: prise means to tell somebody something. say out of about 1,800 total applications. “Who is your mother and what has she They are entirely different words. But peo- I want one more A+ before I die, but may done to help you get ready for college?” ple often say, “I appraised him about what not get it. Most of our first-draft essays are They also use a lot of incorrect English was happening.” They mean apprised. in the C range, from C- to C+, with an oc- words and phrases, many of which can be Cite, site, sight. Cite means to refer to casional D+ thrown in. found all over the place. One is aggravate, something previously written or said, as in It’s obvious that our schools are not which means “to make worse.” Most of the a footnote. A site is a location. A sight is a teaching students how to write. It is pain- time, the user really means “irritate.” My look at something. The most common er- fully obvious when we get an essay that is mother told me a thousand times, “You ror may be to use sight for site. the first writing a student has ever done. little aggravator.” What she really meant Disburse, disperse. Disburse means to As a person who has been writing for over was “You little irritator.” pay out money; disperse means to scatter. 60 years, I know how hard it is to get a Anyways is not a word. It is anyway. Someone would be foolish to disperse the thought out of my head, to my fingers, to a Apart is a word that has a two-word money, but they are perhaps wise to dis- keyboard, and onto a computer screen. It partner. The student who writes, “I want to burse it. takes lots of practice. be apart of something great” really means Ensure, insure. Ensure means to One way I can tell a first writing is that “I want to be a part of something great.” make sure of something, while insure

students will hit “enter” at what they think To be apart from it would mean to have means to buy insurance. They are not ISTOCK

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATION TODAY 41 interchangeable. when they put out ads saying, “Winston are both plural. Few and less. Few means countable tastes good, like a cigarette should.” The Treasure, treasurer. Treasure is some- objects, while less refers to uncountable. English critics jumped on them immedi- thing valuable. A treasurer is someone The sign in the grocery store that says, ately. Like is a preposition; the usage, con- who takes care of the money. So you can- “15 items or less” should say “15 items or necting two complete sentences, demands not run for the office of treasure, but you fewer.” This mistake seems to be universal. a conjunction, as. One of my friends con- can run for the office of treasurer. He don’t is often used orally, but stantly says, “Like I said.” Uhhh. Two, to, too. Two is the second num- not often in writing. The correct is “He Loose, lose. Loose means not tied ber, after one. The word “to” is a prepo- doesn’t.” down and is pronounced “loos.” Lose sition, as in “to catch” or “to run.” The It is me is bad English, which appar- means lost and is pronounced “looz.” word “too” means “in excess” or “also.” ently only a few people know. The cor- If you have misplaced something, you The three are not interchangeable. rect sentence is “It is I.” These days even lose it, not loose it. You can loose a To Jim and I. The word “to” is a preposi- college graduates can be heard saying, horse if you want to turn him out into tion, which always takes the second voice “It’s m e .” a pasture. of a noun. To say, “He gave the money to Its, it’s. Rules go out the window on Oral, verbal. Oral means with spoken Jim and I” is simply bad English. He gave this one. The only seeming possessive in words. Verbal means with words. People the money to Tom and me. No one would the English language without an apostro- often say, “We had a verbal agreement” say “He gave the money to I.” So to deter- phe is its. The problem is that “it’s” is not when they meant they had an oral agree- mine the correct voice, eliminate the first a possessive; it is a contraction of “it is.” ment—not written down, not notarized, object of the verb, which almost everyone So to say “It’s my party” is correct, but “Its but with spoken words only. All agree- will realize requires “me” instead of “I.” meaning has been lost” is also correct. ments are verbal, whether they are writ- Towards is not a word. The correct Don’t use an apostrophe with the word ten or oral. word is toward. unless it is the contraction of “it is.” Past, passed. Something past happened Most unique is horrible English. Light complected. The non-word com- in history, either yesterday or years ago. Unique means one of a kind, so it can- plected is not found in any dictionary. Something passed because it was a car go- not be modified. So rather unique, quite The right phrase is light complexioned. ing faster than another car, or a bill was unique, and very unique are all bad Eng- Like and as. The Winston cigarette peo- approved by a legislature, or a student got lish. It’s just unique. ple got raked over the coals in the 1950s promoted from one grade to the next. Use and used. The most common mis- Peak, peek, pique. Peak means a take with these words is people writing, “I mountaintop. Peek means to look fur- use to go to school every day.” The correct tively. Pique means to stimulate one’s in- sentence is “I used to go to school every terest, or excite. day.” We forget the “d” because most of us, Principal, principle. The first is either when talking, leave it off. the lead teacher at a school or the main Where’s it at. Uhhh. Don’t use a prepo- ingredient of something. The second is a sition to end a sentence. Make the sentence law or rule. say “Where is it?” and you’ll be correct. Seen it. This verb is often misused in Who is a subject pronoun and whom Indian country, both written and spoken. is an object pronoun. Never say “To who He didn’t seen it; he saw it. are you speaking?” It’s “To whom are you Supposably is not a word. It is sup- speaking?” posedly. Who’s and whose. Who’s is a contrac- Suppose to is incorrect. It is supposed to. tion of “who is” or “who has.” “Whose” is a Don’t forget the d, similar to use and used. pronoun or interrogatory. Thus it is incor- Their, there, they’re. Their is a possessive rect to say “Who’s house is this?” It should pronoun, there is an adjective specifying be “Whose house is this?” place, and they’re is a contraction of “they Your and you’re. The first is a possessive are.” They are not interchangeable. Thus pronoun, meaning something that belongs “Their over there” is very mangled English. to you. The second is a contraction of “you Then instead of than. Students will are.” Thus “Your my girl” is incorrect. write “I would rather be in college then out working” when they should have said Dr. Dean Chavers can be reached at than. No doubt this is caused by the way [email protected]. He works at people hear the word pronounced. Catching the Dream, a national scholarship There is many types of cars is incor- program for Native American college stu- rect. It should be “There are many types dents. CTD does not have enough applicants, of cars,” since the words types and cars and encourages students to apply. 0

Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 42 TRIBAL COLLEGE LIST

Associate of Applied Science: Computer Technology Systems, Office For more program information, visit Administration, Construction Technology, Ojibwe Language Instruction IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com/tribal-colleges. Associate of Arts: Business Administration; Criminal Justice-Correc- tions Emphasis; Early Childhood Education-Administration, Family Services, Teacher Prep; Education; General Studies; Great Lakes Native Aaniiih Nakoda College American Studies; Health and Fitness; Social Science DEGREE Associate of Science: General Studies ADDRESS 269 Blackfeet Avenue; Agency, Harlem, MT 59523 PROGRAMS Certificate of Completion: Corrections; Emergency Medical Technician- PHONE/FAX 406-353-2607 Specialist, Basic; General Studies; Nishnaabemwin Immersion Instruc- tion; Nishnaabemwin Language Institute; Paramedics WEBSITE http://www.ancollege.edu Certificates: Health Science; Medical Office; Construction Technology; Natural Science Associate of Arts: American Indian Studies, Business, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Human Services, Liberal Arts, Psy- Diploma: Nishnaabemwin Language Instructor Institute; Nishnaabem- chology win Pane Immersion DEGREE Associate of Science: Allied Health, Computer Information Systems, PROGRAMS Environmental Systems Cankdeska Cikana Community College Associate of Applied Science: Carpentry ADDRESS 214 1st Ave.; Fort Totten, ND 58335 Certificates: Carpentry, Health Science, Tribal Management, Welding PHONE/FAX 701-766-4415 / 888-783-1463 / 701-766-4077 Bacone College WEBSITE http://www.littlehoop.edu

ADDRESS 2299 Old Bacone Road; Muskogee, OK 74403 Associate of Arts: Accounting/Business Administration, Early Child- hood Education, Dakota Studies, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Elementary PHONE/FAX 888-682-5514 Education Associate of Science: Natural Resource Management; Pre-Engineering; WEBSITE http://www.bacone.edu Pre-Nursing; Health, Physical Education & Recreation; Science; Envi- DEGREE ronmental Science Online Programs: Christian Ministry, Criminal Justice, General Stud- PROGRAMS ies, Medical Associate of Applied Science: Automotive Technology, Computer Appli- Arts & Sciences: American Indian Studies, Christian Ministry, Criminal cations, Fine Art, Graphic Design, HVAC, Office Technology, Construc- Justice tion Management, Professional Truck Driver DEGREE Business: Accounting, Business Administration, Certified Fraud Exam- Certificates: Carpentry, Finish Carpentry, HVAC, Entrepreneurship, Of- fice Technology, Early Childhood PROGRAMS iner Education: Child Development, Early Childhood Development and Education, Sport Management Chief Dull Knife College General Studies ADDRESS 1 College Dr.; Lame Deer, MT 59043 Health Science: Medical Imaging, Nursing PHONE/FAX 406-477-6215 WEBSITE Bay Mills Community College http://www.cdkc.edu Associate of Applied Science: Administrative Assistant, Business Man- ADDRESS 12214 W. Lakeshore Drive; Brimley, MI 49715 DEGREE agement PROGRAMS PHONE/FAX 906-248-3354 Certificates: Office Skills WEBSITE http://www.bmcc.edu College of Menominee Nation - Green Bay Associate of Applied Science: Computer Technology Systems, Office Administration, Construction Technology, Ojibwe Language Instruction ADDRESS 2733 S. Ridge Road; Green Bay, WI 54304 Associate of Arts: Business Administration; Criminal Justice-Correc- PHONE 920-965-0070 / 800-567-2344 tions Emphasis; Early Childhood Education-Administration, Family Services, Teacher Prep; Education; General Studies; Great Lakes Native WEBSITE http://www.menominee.edu American Studies; Health and Fitness; Social Science DEGREE Associate of Science: General Studies Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration PROGRAMS Certificate of Completion: Corrections; Emergency Medical Technician- Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, Early Childhood/Middle Specialist, Basic; General Studies; Nishnaabemwin Immersion Instruc- Childhood Education tion; Nishnaabemwin Language Institute; Paramedics Associate of Arts & Sciences: Biological and Physical Sciences, Business DEGREE Certificates: Health Science; Medical Office; Construction Technology; Administration, Digital Media, Early Childhood Education, Liberal Natural Science PROGRAMS Studies, Natural Resources, Pre-Engineering, Public Administration Diploma: Nishnaabemwin Language Instructor Institute; Nishnaabem- Associate of Applied Science: Nursing Bridge ADN, Pre-Environmental win Pane Immersion Engineering Technology Technical Diploma: Electricity, Business Office Technician, Practical Blackfeet Community College Nursing, Welding

ADDRESS 12214 W. Lakeshore Drive; Brimley, MI 49715 College of Menominee Nation - Keshena PHONE/FAX 906-248-3354 ADDRESS N 172 WI-55; Keshena, WI 54135 WEBSITE http://www.bfcc.edu PHONE 715-799-5600 / 800-567-2344

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 TRIBAL COLLEGE LIST 43

WEBSITE http://www.menominee.edu Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, Early Childhood/Middle Childhood Education Associate of Arts & Sciences: Biological and Physical Sciences, Business DEGREE Administration, Digital Media, Early Childhood Education, Liberal PROGRAMS Studies, Natural Resources, Pre-Engineering, Public Administration Associate of Applied Science: Nursing Bridge ADN, Pre-Environmental Engineering Technology Technical Diploma: Electricity, Business Office Technician, Practical Nursing, Welding

Diné College

ADDRESS 1 Circle Drive; Route 12; Tsaile, AZ 86556 PHONE 877-988-DINE / 928-724-6600 WEBSITE http://www.dinecollege.edu Bachelor of Arts: Business-Tribal Management and Economic Develop- ment, Business Administration, Elementary Education Associate of Applied Science: Business Management, Office Adminis- tration Associate of Arts & Sciences: Computer Information Systems, Navajo Language, Humanities, Fine Arts, Mathematics, English, Social and Be- DEGREE havioral Science, Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Diné Studies, PROGRAMS Early Childhood Education, Education, Physics, Public Health, Agro- ecology/Environmental Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Gen- eral Science, Health Occupation Certificates: Irrigation Technician, Navajo Nation Leadership, Natural Resource, Public Health, Office Technology, Small Business Manage- ment/Entrepreneurship Center for Diné Teacher Education

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

ADDRESS 2101 14th St.; Cloquet, MN 55720 PHONE 218-879-0800 / 800-657-3712 WEBSITE http://www.fdltcc.edu Degree Programs: American Indian Studies, Art, Business, Corrections, Electric Utility Technology, Elementary Education, Environmental Sci- ence, Fitness and Health, Geospatial Technologies, Health Science Broad Field, Human Services, Law Enforcement, Liberal Arts and Sciences Transfer, Nursing, Nutrition Associate of Applied Science: Information Management Specialist, Medical Secretary, Environmental Science DEGREE PROGRAMS Associate of Science: Pre-Engineering, Mathematics, Environmental Science, Science Associate of Arts: Business Administration/Management, Early Child- hood Education, Elementary Education, Human Services, Liberal Arts, Native American Studies Certificates: Farm/Ranch Management, Administrative Assistant, Mar- keting/Entrepreneurship, CDL, Construction Technology, Welding Technology, Child Development Associate Credential, Addiction Studies

Fort Berthold Community College

ADDRESS 220 8th Ave. E; New Town, ND 58763 PHONE 701-627-4738 WEBSITE http://www.fortbertholdcc.edu

Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 44 TRIBAL COLLEGE LIST

Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education, Environmental Science Certificates: Accounting Technician I and II, Medical Coding Special- ist, Allied Health, Construction Technology I and II, Business Specialist Bachelor of Arts: Native American Studies I and II, Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management Certificate I Associate of Applied Science: Information Management Specialist, and II, Emergency Medical Technician I, Firefighter I, IC3-Internet and Medical Secretary, Environmental Science Computer Core, COMP TIA A+, COMP TIA Network+, Information DEGREE Technology Specialist I and II, Inupiaq Fine Arts, Inupiaq Language I Associate of Science: Pre-Engineering, Mathematics, Environmental PROGRAMS and II, Office Administration I and II DEGREE Science, Science PROGRAMS Endorsement Programs: Certified Nursing Aide, Carpentry, CDL/Heavy Associate of Arts: Business Administration/Management, Early Child- Truck Operations, Construction Management, Electrical, Heavy Equip- hood Education, Elementary Education, Human Services, Liberal Arts, ment Operations, Pipefitting, Pipeline Insulation, Plumbing, Scaffolding, Native American Studies Welding Materials Technology, Industrial Safety Certificates: Farm/Ranch Management, Administrative Assistant, Mar- keting/Entrepreneurship, CDL, Construction Technology, Welding Technology, Child Development Associate Credential, Addiction Studies Institute of American Indian Arts ADDRESS 83 Avan Nu Po Road; Santa Fe, NM 87508 Fort Peck Community College PHONE/FAX 505-424-2300 / 505-424-0909 WEBSITE http://www.iaia.edu ADDRESS 605 Indian Ave.; Poplar, MT 59255 Associate of Fine Arts: Studio Arts, Creative Writing, Cinematic Arts & PHONE 406-768-6300 Technology, Museum Studies WEBSITE http://www.fpcc.edu Associate of Arts: Native American Studies Bachelor of Fine Arts: Creative Writing, Studio Arts, Cinematic Arts & Associate of Arts: Business Administration, Education, General Studies, DEGREE Technology, Museum Studies Human Services, Native American Studies, Psychology PROGRAMS Bachelor of Arts: Indigenous Liberal Studies Associate of Science: Biomedical Science, Environmental Science, Envi- ronmental Technology and Compliance, General Studies, Pre-Health/ Master’s in Fine Arts: Creative Writing Pre-Nursing DEGREE Certificates: Museum Studies, Business and Entrepreneurship, Native PROGRAMS Associate of Applied Science: Automotive Technology, Building Trades, American Art History Business Technology, Computer Technology Certificates: Accounting Technician, Automotive Technology, Building Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Trades, Business Assistant, Desktop Support Technician, Electrical Line Worker, Graphic Web Design-Pilot, Heavy Equipment Operator, Truck ADDRESS 111 Beartown Road; Baraga, MI 49908 Driving, Welding Technology PHONE 906-524-8301 WEBSITE Haskell Indian Nations University http://www.kbocc.edu/ Associate of Arts: Liberal Studies, Liberal Studies with Native American ADDRESS Emphasis 155 E. Indian Ave.; Lawrence, KS 66046 DEGREE Associate of Science: Environmental Science PHONE/FAX 907-852-3333 / 800-478-7337 PROGRAMS Associate of Applied Science: Business Administration, Early Childhood WEBSITE http://www.haskell.edu Education Bachelor of Arts: American Indian Studies Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, Environmental Science, Elementary Education ADDRESS 13466 W Trepania Rd; Hayward, WI 54843 DEGREE Associate of Arts: Art, Creative Writing, Literature, Paraprofessional PHONE PROGRAMS Education, Social Work, Speech Communication, Media Communica- 715-634-5049 tions, Theatre WEBSITE http://www.lco.edu Associate of Science: Community Health, Natural Resources, Natural Science, Recreation and Fitness Management Associate of Arts: General Studies, Human Services, Native American Studies, Early Childhood Education, Liberal Arts, Medical Office Mid- Management, Native American Studies-Language Ilisagvik College Associate of Applied Science: Agriculture & Natural Resources-Water, Casino Operations Management, Medical Assistant, Agriculture & DEGREE Natural Resources-Land ADDRESS 100 Stevenson St.; Barrow, AK 99723 PROGRAMS Associate of Science: Business Administration-Small Business Manage- PHONE/FAX 907-852-3333 / 800-478-7337 ment, Pre-Nursing, Business Administration-Accounting, Pre-Health Information Management, Science WEBSITE http://www.ilisagvik.edu Certificates: Medical Transcriptionist, Casino Hospitality & Customer Service, GIS Associate of Science: Allied Health Associate Degree of Nursing DEGREE Associate of Arts: Human Service Emphasis, Indigenous Early Learning, Leech Lake Tribal College PROGRAMS Inupiaq Studies Associate of Applied Science: Accounting, Construction Technology, ADDRESS 6945 Little Wolf Road NW; Cass Lake, MN 56633 Business Management, Emergency Services, Office Administration PHONE 218-335-4200

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 TRIBAL COLLEGE LIST 45

Nebraska Indian Community College WEBSITE http://www.lltc.edu ADDRESS 1111 Highway 75; Macy, NE 68039 Associate of Arts: Liberal Education, Liberal Education with STEM Em- phasis, Indigenous Leadership, Early Childhood Education PHONE/FAX 402-494-2311 / 844-440-NICC / 402-837-4183 Associate of Science: Forest Resources, Natural Science DEGREE WEBSITE http://www.thenicc.edu PROGRAMS Associate of Applied Science: Business Management, Law Enforcement Diploma: Construction Electricity, Residential Carpentry Associate of Applied Science: Carpentry Certificates: Child Development Associate Associate of Arts: Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, DEGREE General Liberal Arts, Human Services, Native American Studies PROGRAMS Associate of Science: General Science Studies Little Big Horn College Certificates: Carpentry ADDRESS 8645 Weaver Dr; Crow Agency, MT 59022 Northwest Indian College PHONE 406-638-3100 / 406-638-3169 ADDRESS 2522 Kwina Road; Bellingham, WA 98226 WEBSITE http://www.lbhc.edu PHONE 360-676-2772 Associate of Arts: Business Administration, Crow Studies, Education, Human Services, Liberal Arts WEBSITE http://www.nwic.edu Associate of Science: Information Systems, Mathematics, Science Bachelor of Arts: Native Studies Leadership, Tribal Governance and DEGREE Certificates: Crow Studies, Tribal Management; Information Technol- Business Management PROGRAMS ogy Assistant Bachelor of Science: Native Environmental Science Pilot Certificates: Business, Accounting Assistant; Early Childhood Edu- Associate of Arts & Science: Business and Entrepreneurship, Native En- cation; Information Systems, Multimedia; Information Systems, Net- vironmental Science, Public and Tribal Administration, Oksale Native working Technology; Information Systems, Office Assistant Education Pilot Associate of Science: Agriculture-Livestock Management DEGREE Associate of Applied Science: Early Childhood Education PROGRAMS Associate of Technical Arts: Chemical Dependency Studies, Information Little Priest Tribal College Technology/Associate of Science: Life Sciences Certificates: Computer Repair Technician, Construction Trades, Office ADDRESS 601 E College Drive; Winnebago, NE 68071 Profession, Hospitality Management PHONE 406-638-3100 / 406-638-3169 Awards of Completion: Tribal Casino Management, Digital Media Tech- nology, Working with Infants and Toddlers, Entrepreneurship, Tribal WEBSITE http://www.littlepriest.edu Museum Studies Program Associate of Arts: Early Childhood Education, Native American Studies, Liberal Arts, Teacher Education DEGREE PROGRAMS Associate of Science: Business Associate of Indigenous Science: Indigenous Science with an Environ- mental or Health Science Emphasis

Navajo Technical University

ADDRESS Lower Point Road; State Hwy 371; Crownpoint, NM 87313 PHONE/FAX 505-786-4100 / 505-786-5644 WEBSITE http://www.navajotech.edu/ Bachelor of Applied Science: IT-Digital Manufacturing Track, IT-Com- puter Science Track, IT-New Media Track/Bachelor of Fine Arts: Cre- ative Writing and New Media/Bachelor of Arts: Diné Culture, Language, St. Joseph’s Indian School in and Leadership Chamberlain, South Dakota Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Multicultural Education, Electron- ics and Computer Engineering, Environmental Science and Natural Re- Seeks a Family Engagement sources, Industrial Engineering Coordinator to strengthen, Associate of Science: Early Childhood Multicultural Education, Math- ematics, Registered Nursing support and nurture DEGREE connections within students’ PROGRAMS Associate of Applied Science: Accounting, Admin. Office Specialist, Baking, Building Info Modeling, Culinary Arts, Energy Systems, Envi- families and with St. Joseph’s ronmental Science & Natural Resources, Geographical Info Technology, Indian School. Involves Info Technology Technician, Law Advocate, Public Admin, Vet Tech community outreach and Certificates: Administrative Office Specialist, Applied Computer education. Bachelor’s degree in Technology, Automotive Technology, Bookkeeping, Carpentry, Com- puter-Aided Drafting, Construction Technology, Electrical Trades, a social services related field Environmental Science & Natural Resources, Geographical Informa- required. tion Technology, Industrial Maintenance and Operations, Information Technology Assistant, Legal Assistant, Mathematics, Pre- Nursing, Pro- CCDC licensure preferred. fessional Baking, Professional Cooking, Textile and Weaving BFOQ—Must be Native.

Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 46 TRIBAL COLLEGE LIST

Oglala Lakota College Sinte Gleska University

ADDRESS 3 Mile Creek Road; Kyle, SD 57752 ADDRESS P.O. Box 105; 101 Antelope Lake Circle; Mission, SD 57555 PHONE/FAX 605-455-6060 / 605-455-2787 PHONE/FAX 605-856-8100 / 605-856-4135 WEBSITE http://www.olc.edu WEBSITE http://www.sintegleska.edu Master of Arts: Lakota Leadership and Management, Lakota Leadership Bachelor of Science: Environmental Science, Computer Science, K-8 and Management-Education Administration Emphasis Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Elementary Education, Bachelor of Arts: Lakota Studies, English and Communication, Early History & Culture, History & Culture/Tribal Government, Cultural Re- Childhood Head Start Emphasis, Early Childhood SD Teacher Certifica- source Management tion Emphasis, Social Science. Bachelor of Arts: Art, Business Management, Human Services, Mental Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, K-8 Elementary Educa- Health/Psychology, Criminal Justice, Chemical Dependency, Lakota DEGREE Language, Alternative Language-Teaching PROGRAMS tion, Information Technology, K-12 Lakota Studies Education, Natural Science, Secondary Education Physical Science Associate of Arts: Art, Business Management, Elementary Education, Associate of Arts: Fine Art, Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Human Services, Lakota Lakota Studies, Pre-Engineering, Life Science, Nursing, Science/Engi- DEGREE History & Culture, Lakota Language, Traditional Arts, Creative Writing neering/Math, Tribal Law PROGRAMS Associate of Science: Physical Science, Biological Science, Environmental Associate of Applied Science: Automotive Technology, General Con- Science struction, Electrical Technology, Office Technology Master of Education/Master of Arts: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Guidance Counseling Red Crow Community College Associate of Applied Science: Administrative Assistant, Building Trades, Computer Technology, Data Processing, Office Technology, Licensed Practical Nursing ADDRESS P.O. Box 1258; Cardston, AB T0K 0K0 Certificates: Plumbing Apprenticeship, Electrical Apprenticeship, Build- PHONE/FAX 403-737-2400 / 866-937-2400 / 403-737-2101 ing Trades, Office Technology, Computer Maintenance, Data Processing, Licensed Practical Nursing WEBSITE http://www.redcrowcollege.com Sisseton Wahpeton College DEGREE Red Crow offers Diploma, Degree and Master’s programs in partnership PROGRAMS with Mount Royal, Lethbridge Community College, SAIT, The Univer- sity of Lethbridge, and the University of Calgary. ADDRESS 12572 BIA Hwy 700; Sisseton, SD 57262 PHONE/FAX 605-698-3966 / 605-698-3132 Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College WEBSITE http://www.swc.tc

ADDRESS 2274 Enterprise Drive; Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 Associate of Arts: Dakota Studies, General Studies PHONE/FAX Associate of Applied Science: Business Specialist, Carpentry Technology, 989-775-4123 / 989-775-4528 Computer Systems Technology DEGREE WEBSITE http://www.sagchip.edu PROGRAMS Associate of Science: Addiction and Diversity Counseling, Business Administration-Optional Accounting Emphasis, Early Childhood De- DEGREE velopment, Sustainable Environmental Studies PROGRAMS Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts, Business, Native American Studies Certificates: Licensed Practical Nursing, Dakota Language Teaching

Sitting Bull College Salish Kootenai College ADDRESS 9299 N Dakota Highway 24; Fort Yates, ND 58538 ADDRESS 58138 US Hwy 93; Pablo, MT 59855 PHONE/FAX 701-854-8000 / 701-854-3403 PHONE/FAX 406-275-4800 / 406-275-480 WEBSITE http://www.sittingbull.edu WEBSITE http://www.skc.edu Master of Science: Environmental Science Bachelor of Arts: Tribal Historic Preservation, Psychology, Business Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, Early Childhood Edu- Management/Entrepreneurship, Social Work cation, Elementary Education, Secondary Science Education, Special Bachelor of Science: Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Environmental Science, General Studies Education, Secondary Science Education, Computer Engineering, In- Associate of Arts: Business Administration, General Studies, General formation Technology, Life Science, Wildlife and Fisheries, Forestry, Studies-Nursing Transfer, Native American Studies, Pre-Engineering Hydrology Associate of Science: Business Admin/Management, Community Health Associate of Science: Nursing, Elementary Education, Information Tech- DEGREE DEGREE Worker, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Environmental nology, Life Science, Wildlife and Fisheries, Forestry PROGRAMS PROGRAMS Science, Human Services Tech, Informatio Technology, Lakhotiyapi/ Associate of Arts: Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Native American Studies, Dakhotiyapi, Office Technology, Practical Nursing, Teacher Education Tribal Historic Preservation, Psychology, Business Management, Early Associate of Applied Science: Building Trades, Energy Technician, Lay Childhood Education, Chemical Dependency Advocate/Paralegal, Office Technology Associate of Applied Science: Dental Assisting Technology, Business Certificates: Building Trades, CDL, Community Health Worker, Con- Technology, Media Design, Business Technology crete, Electrical, Entrepreneurship, Framing, Information Technology, Certificates: Dental Assisting Technology, Highway Construction Train- Interior Construction, Lakhotiyapi/Dakhotiyapi I and II, Native Com- ing, Native American Science, Office Professions, Medical Office Clerk munity Development, Office Technology, Oil Drilling, Welding

IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com Fall 2015 TRIBAL COLLEGE LIST 47

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute Tohono O’odham Community College ADDRESS 9169 Coors Blvd. NW; Albuquerque, NM 87120 ADDRESS P.O. Box 3129; Highway 86 Milepost 115.5 North; Sells, AZ 85634 PHONE/FAX 800-586-SIPI / 800-586-7474 PHONE/FAX 520-383-8401 / 520-623-6175 / 520-383-8403 WEBSITE http://www.sipi.edu WEBSITE http://www.tocc.edu Associate of Applied Science: Vision Care Technology, Culinary Arts, Apprenticeships: Carpentry, Construction Painting, Electrical, Facilities Electronics Technology, Instrumentation and Control Technology, Maintenance, Plumbing Geospatial Information Technology, Natural Resources Management, Certificates: Tohono O’odham Studies Program, Infant and Toddler De- Natural Resources/Environmental Science, Network Management, Ac- velopment, Office & Administrative Professions, Basic Social Services, DEGREE counting, Business Administration DEGREE PROGRAMS PROGRAMS Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Associate of Science: Pre-Engineering Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts, Social Services Certificates: Optical Laboratory Technology, Culinary Arts, Computer Associate of Applied Science: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Busi- Aided Drafting and Design, Geospatial Information Technology, Ac- ness Administration, Office & Administrative Professions counting, Business Administration

Spokane Tribal College Turtle Mountain Community College ADDRESS 10145 BIA Road 7; P.O. Box 340; Belcourt, ND 58316 ADDRESS 6232 Old School Road; Wellpinit, WA 99040 PHONE/FAX 701-477-7862 / 701-477-7892 PHONE/FAX 509-258-7789 WEBSITE http://www.tm.edu WEBSITE http://www.spokanetribalcollege.org Associate of Arts: Art, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Eng- Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts, Native American Studies DEGREE lish History, Humanities, Language, Music, Native Studies, Political Sci- PROGRAMS Associate of Applied Science: Business Technology, Media Design ence, Psychology, Social Science, Social Work Certificates: Office Professions, Native Studies Associate of Science: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Public Health, Math, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Engineering, Pre-Environmental Science, Stone Child College Pre-Geography, Pre-Med Tech, Pre-Med, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Vet Medicine, Pre-Wildlife ADDRESS 8294 Upper Box Elder Road; Box Elder, MT 59501 MGMT DEGREE Bachelor of Science: Teacher Education PHONE/FAX 406-395-4875 / 406-395-4836 PROGRAMS Certificates: Accounting Technician, Building Construction Technology, WEBSITE http://www.stonechild.edu Computer Support Specialist, Commercial Drivers License, Entrepre- neur, HVAC, Phlebotomy, Process Power Plant, Welding Technology Associate of Arts: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health & Physical Education, Health Promotion, Liberal Arts, Math, Associate of Applied Science: Accounting Tech, Building Construction Native American Studies, Natural Resources, Studio Art, Water Quality, Tech, Business Administration, Clinical/Medical Laboratory Tech, Com- Addiction Studies, Native Communities, Psychology puter Support Specialist, HVAC, LPN, Pharmacy Tech, Process Power Plant Technology, Residential Electric Associate of Science: Allied Health, General Science, General Business, DEGREE Office Administration, Information Systems PROGRAMS Certificates: Accounting, Construction Technology, CNA Course, Cus- tomer Relations, Physical Fitness, Pre-Engineering, Pre-Nursing, Rural United Tribes Technical College Health ADDRESS 3315 University Drive; Bismarck, ND 58504 PHONE/FAX 701-530-0605 / 701-530-0640 WEBSITE http://www.uttc.edu Associate of Applied Science: Art & Art Marketing, Automotive Technology, Business Management, Business and Office Technology, Criminal Justice, General Studies, Nutrition and Foodservice, Practical Nursing, Teacher Education, Tribal Environmental Science DEGREE Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education, Criminal Justice, Business PROGRAMS Administration & Management Diploma: Automotive Technology, Medical Billing & Coding Certificates: Automotive Technology, CDL, Heavy Equipment Opera- tor, Welding

White Earth Tribal and Community College ADDRESS 2250 College Road; P.O. Box 478; Mahnomen, MN 56557 PHONE/FAX 218-935-0417 / 218-936-5814 WEBSITE http://www.wetcc.edu

DEGREE Associate of Arts: Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, Human Services, PROGRAMS Environmental Science, Business, Native American Studies, Education, Early Childhood Education AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE

Fall 2015 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY 48 INDIAN COUNTRY EDUCATIONTODAY TODAY AP IMAGES President Barack Obama’s 2016 fiscal year budget called for a $1 billion dollar investment in Indian education.

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