Native News Network

Congressman Cole Introduces Language Immersion Bill   Yesterday, Chickasaw Nation citizen and U.S. Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced critical legislation - The Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act - as a companion bill to Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman Jon Tester's (D-MT) S. 1948.    NIEA President Pam Agoyo quickly applauded the action stating, "NIEA thanks Congressman Cole for his continued leadership in Native education and is excited to see companion legislation for Native language immersion introduced in the House. We are already working with Native education partners to garner support as well as congressional committees to request they act on these bills as soon as possible."   The bill is identical to the Senate language and helps eligible entities, such as Native-serving schools, build capacity to provide instruction in a local Native language to support the culture and linguistic traditions of their students.   Contact your local congressional member today and ask them to co-sponsor the legislation!   Additional Information House Bill S. 1948  Congressional Office Contact Information   For more information, please contact Clint J. Bowers, NIEA Policy Associate, at cbowers@niea.org.   NIEA continues to highlight important Native women during Women's History Month. This week we illustrate the work of top Native female athletes and their status as role models for thousands of Native youth. Shoni and Jude Schimmel were encouraged early on in their education to pursue their passion in basketball, finally deciding to take their talent to the University of Louisville, located in Kentucky. Shoni attended first with Jude following in her sister's footsteps to become the strong "sixth man off the bench".   Shoni and Jude Schimmel have had well-documented basketball careers beginning from their time on the reservation. Their strong Native roots enabled them to play on the biggest stage in college basketball. Shoni and Jude helped the Louisville Cardinals reach the national championship game last season with Shoni finishing as the school's second all-time leading scorer. Recently, the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City highlighted an award-winning documentary, "Off the Rez," following Shoni's illustrious basketball career and illustrating the importance of youth-focused extracurricular activities for Native Youth.    9th Annual Young Native Writers Essay Contest   NIEA and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) are partnering with the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation to announce the call for essays in its 9th Annual Young Native Writers Essay Contest. For 2014, students are being asked to write about one or more of the cultural images, symbols or art forms that have been historically developed by their community (American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian) to communicate a particular message, value, or serve a specific purpose.   Additional Information Essays are to be 1,200 words or less and should cover the following: Describe the image(s), symbol(s), or art forms selected; Explain how it was originally developed or used by the community; Reflect on the student's own experience about it, including thoughts and feelings; and Suggest why or how it is still relevant today.   Application Deadline: April 22, 2014 Registration: Click HERE Contest Information: Click HERE   Tribal Consultation Meetings    The Department of Education, through the Office of Indian Education and the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, will conduct their next meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 in Norman, Oklahoma. The purpose of the consultation session is to invite tribal leaders, education professionals, parents, colleagues, and interested stakeholders to an opportunity to engage with senior White House and agency officials.   Additional Information When: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Where: Norman, OK Registration: Click HERE   HHS Administration for Children and Families Webinars As part of President Obama's Early Education Plan, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will support states and communities in expanding high quality early learning to infants and toddlers through the Early Head Start - Child Care Partnerships. Through these partnerships, Early Head Start grantees will partner with center-based and family childcare providers who agree to meet Early Head Start Program Performance Standards and provide comprehensive, full-day, full year high-quality services to infants and toddlers from low-income families. The next session,Early Head Start - Child Care Partnerships: Getting Started,will provide an overview of Establishing Partnerships, Implementing Management Systems, Understanding Policies and Requirements, Facilitating Ongoing Communication, and Doing Sustainability Planning.   Additional Information Title: Early Head Start - Child Care Partnerships: Getting Started When: Friday, March 14, 2014 from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Registration: Click HERE.   To see additional webinar opportunities from ACF, please click HERE. Indigenous Language Institute Conference The Indigenous Language Institute/Consortium of Indigenous Language Organizations (CILO) will host a three-day workshop focused onlanguage immersion planning and methodology for family, educators, and community members working with early childhood/Head Start age groups where Native language is the main language of activity. The workshops will provide hands-on experience on how to prepare long-range plans for language and culture transmission (curriculum), daily plans of activities, and material development.   Additional Information When: Monday,April 14 through Wednesday, April 16, 2014 Where: Albuquerque, NM Agenda: Click HERE. Registration: Click HERE. Project Learning Tree Grant Opportunities Project Learning Tree's (PLT) GreenSchools! Program inspires students to take personal responsibility for improving the environment at their school, home, and in their community. Students, teachers, and school staff members receive tools, training, and resources for student-led Green Teams to create healthier schools-and to save schools' money! PLT GreenSchools! Program helps improve academic performance, critical thinking skills, and the ability for students to grow as leaders in their schools and communities. The grant opportunities are often student led or focused and provide an opportunity for students to acquire funding for a conservation project or local initiative.   Additional Information Application: Click HERE Deadline: September 30, 2014   For additional information please contact James McGirt at jmcgirt@plt.org. You Shop.  Amazon Gives to NIEA.   By shopping on Amazon Smile, you can help NIEA advocate on behalf of Native students.  It's very simple: Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice (choose NIEA). AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know.  Same products, same prices, same service. Support NIEA by starting your shopping at: Amazon Gives to NIEA. Passionate about advancing Native Education?  Work for NIEA!    NIEA Communications and Outreach Manager The NIEA Communication and Outreach Manager position is responsible for developing and implementing an effective multi-media contact strategy for a variety of audiences, including membership and donors. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with Native communities, Native organizations, and help lead the way in promoting Native education on a tribal, local, state, and national level.       To learn more about this position, click the following link:  Work for NIEA.   Position based in Washington, DC.