Isleta Pueblo News Volume 10 Issue 12 Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.com December 2015 From the Office of the Governor 17th Native American Veterans Health section highlights recommendations to the • New Mexico Achievement Gap and Wellness Symposium administration and federal government Research Alliance to uphold the obligation through funding • PARCC in BIE Schools November 6, 2015 the Indian Health Service with the federal budget. It included • Managing and Developing Title VII – New Mexico VA Health Care System and recommendation on Contract support costs education Act Programs the Isleta Veterans Association hosted the and highlights the importance of Data for • Tribal Education Departments Native American Health and Wellness Effective Tribal and Federal Policy making. National Assembly Symposium at the Isleta Resort and Casino. • Valuing Diversity and Equity 1st Lieutenant Governor Antonio Chewiwi In breakout sessions tribal briefing papers • Zuni Public Schools Bilingual and 2nd Lieutenant Governor Isador Abeita provided introduction and recommendations Programs Culturally Relevant Teaching thanked all veterans for their service to our to key areas to be addressed, they include: with the Collaboration Efforts with the country and encouraged their participation 1. Protecting and Advancing Nation- Pueblo of Zuni in the many opportunities being provided to-Nation Relations: Tribal Sovereignty, • Using Native Core Text to Teach to veterans and their families through the Self-Governance, and Self Determination ELA standards while increasing Student Veterans Administration and Indian Health 2. Strengthening Tribal Economics Oral Interactions and Conversations Service. The one day symposium was filled 3. Resilience: Prevention, Intervention • Parent Advocacy for Special with valuable information for educational, and Wellness Education entrepreneurial opportunities and health 4. A Strong Future: Education • Keres Children’s Learning Center benefits for veterans and families. At Opportunities for Native Youth “Reclaiming our Children’s Education” the conclusion of the symposium a special 5. Federal and Tribal Partnerships • Community Specific Sexual Health Honoring and Recognition Ceremony was in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Education held to thank all Veterans and their families Initiatives for their sacrifices in service to our country. 6. Protecting Our Future: The Summit provided valuable Educational We extend our appreciation to our Pueblo Environmental, Natural and Cultural updates through interaction with New of Isleta Veterans Association who were Resources Mexico State Department of Education instrumental in making this conference a 7. International Affairs and Tribal Leadership and Educators. success. A special highlight of the conference for The Summit was attended by Governor 2015 White House Tribal Nations Governor Torres was a special audience Eddie P. Torres, 1st Lt. Governor Antonio Conference – Washington DC with President Obama and a photo session Chewiwi and POI Education Department with the President. representatives. In addition to the Conference, Governor Message from Governor Torres met with Federal Emergency Eddie Paul Torres Management Agency (FEMA) Tribal As we plan for celebrating our special Liaison to discuss regulatory policy traditional events and holidays let us all be adversely affecting Pueblo of Isleta home mindful in giving thanks to our Great Spirits owners. Future meetings are planned to for their blessings they shower upon us, and address the Pueblo’s concerns. hold in your hearts those fond memories of NM Indian Education Government to our recently dearly departed love ones and Government Fall Summit 2015 their families. May the Great Spirit always guide you and look over you. Thank you, November 16-17, 2015- Laguna Pueblo- Governor Eddie Paul Torres. Route 66 Hotel and Casino hosted the NM Indian Education Fall Summit 2015. The theme of the summit was “Enriching St. Augustine Religious November 5, 2015 – Washington DC – Educational Experiences and Opportunities Governor Eddie P. Torres attended the for American Indian Students”. Education Program Seventh Annual White House Tribal Nations The agenda included: Merry Christmas! It has been our custom Conference hosted by President Barack in recent years to stage a Christmas • Educational Updates by Ms. Latifa Obama at the Ronald Reagan Building and program with the children in the Religious Phillips, Assistant Secretary of Indian International Trade Center. In a special Education Program. This year the Program Education message from the President to Congress will take place on Sunday, December 20 • Round Table with Tribal Leaders on the Nation-to-Nation Policy, President at 2:00 pm in the church. We invite you • PARCC Student Outcomes and Barack Obama has pledged to respect our and your family to join us for this Christmas Updates for 2016 implementation nation-to-nation relationship with the celebration for “Jesus is the real gift of • Information on School Choice United States, to respect our sovereignty, this time of Celebration”. The children in and Charter Schools Serving Native and honor our treaties. The membership grades 1 – 7 and both Confirmation classes American Student Populations of tribes in the National Congress of are participating. American Indians adopted a resolution in • Bilingual and Multicultural 2009 that encourages President Obama to program opportunities including Native systematize this nation-to-nation policy. It American language and culture is a foundational tenet for the success and • Cultural Awareness in the School prosperity of Indian Country. Setting Tribal Leaders briefing papers placed • Native American Rights Fund emphasis on honoring the trust • Rio Rancho Public Schools Native responsibility in the federal budget. The American Summer Academy federal government has a trust, treaty, • Northern Community College P’oe and statutory obligation to tribal nations. Program The underpinning of federal spending • Assembly of New Mexico Native in Indian country is based in the treaties American Educational Leadership that Indian tribes’ ancestors signed with • Cultural Competency in Indian the US government. This budgetary Education Page 2 Isleta Pueblo News December 2015 7th Annual Light the Path Memorial Walk: “Lighten Our Steps Towards Healing” December 11, 2015, 5:00 P.M. at Isleta Recreation Center This annual event is in the planning stages and the time is drawing closer and closer to remember our loved ones that have journeyed before us. The 7th Annual Light the Path Memorial Walk will take place on Friday, December 11th, 2015 at the Isleta Recreation Center starting at 5:00pm. This event is sponsored by the Isleta Community Action Team (ICAT) which is made up Pueblo of Isleta service providers, departments, and community members. Luminarias will light up the main tribal road entrances to the village, the church plaza area and the Rio Grande River Bridge. There will be a procession to St. Augustine church and upon return to the Rec Center, a dinner will be served. We will present a memorial slideshow with pictures of loved ones, as well as a raffle drawing of “awesome” door prizes. Last year's event was a huge success, with over 2,000 luminarias lit along several tribal roads leading to the St. Augustine church. With over 250 participants in 2013 & 2014, we anticipate this number to grow larger. NAMES ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED TO BE PLACED ON LUMINARIAS AND FEATURED ON A MEMORIAL BANNER!! Deadline will be December 4, 2015. Luminaria bags with your loved one’s names may be picked up the next day after the event for your own personal use. If you would like to volunteer and help fill the bags with sand, placing luminarias on the path and lighting them, you are more than welcome to join us. Call IBHS for more information about volunteering. In closing WE all have someone special that has left so many memories while they were here with us on Earth. So, in turn we want to “Lighten Our Steps Towards Healing”. If more information is needed, please contact Behavioral Health @ 869-5475. Names being accepted for Memorial Walk, through DONATIONS! December 2015 Isleta Pueblo News Page 3 Pueblo of Isleta Higher Education PUEBLO OF ISLETA, HIGHER EDUCATION Program Reminder: PROGRAM APPLICANT CHECKLIST Pueblo of Isleta Higher Education Scholarship This checklist helps you keep track of required documents you have submitted supporting documents for the spring 2016 term are and/or have to submit to ensure you are eligible to receive funding from the Isleta due December 31, 2015. Supporting documents for Higher Education Program (IHEP). Some of these documents may already be the spring 2016 term will only be accepted from in your file, please call to verify. You must submit all required documents on the those new students who submitted applications following deadline dates to receive consideration for a grant. Funding will not be for funding by the November 1, 2015 deadline and provided if documents are received after these deadline dates. those students who are currently funded for the fall 2015 term. Please call, email, or stop by the higher Term IHEP Application Due Date Other Required Documents Due Date education department to verify your application and document status. Higher education staff can Fall July 1 August 31 be reached at (505)869-9790 or please email: Thoer Spring November 1 December 31 Peterman – Scholarship Coordinator at POI08001@ Summer April 1 May 31 isletapueblo.com or Kathleen Jojola