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Message from the Director
August has been an important month for the BIE, as we celebrate a number of accomplishments and welcome students and staff back for the 2015-2016 school year. Earlier this month, the BIE joined the Isleta Pueblo community in a ceremony as they gained full tribal control of the Isleta Pueblo Elementary School. This transfer marks the beginning of a new era for the BIE, where education truly represents the vision of the tribe. Later this month, the BIE will welcome the Sovereignty in Indian Education Enhancement grantees to the Department of the Interior in Washington D.C. to present their year end progress and share their vision, goals and accomplishments towards implementing tribally managed school systems. I would also like to congratulate Haskell Indian Nations University on securing accreditation into the next decade. Thank you to Haskell President Dr. Venita Chenault, the staff, and faculty for working together to reaffirm  accreditation. 

Dr. Charles M. Roessel
Secretary Jewell Lauds Isleta Pueblo's Landmark Transition to
Full Operation and Management of Tribal Elementary School  
First BIE­ funded school to transition to full tribal control under Blueprint for Reform 

Photo: Valencia County News
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Director Dr. Charles 'Monty' Roessel joined U.S.Senator Martin Heinrich and Isleta Pueblo Governor Edward Paul Torres Sr. on August 1, 2015 to celebrate the landmark transfer of the pueblo's elementary school to full tribal control. The transition is the first enabled by the Obama Administration's Blueprint for Reform promoting educational self- determination for tribal communities and the President's Generation Indigenous (Gen­I) initiative to improve the lives of Native youth by removing barriers to their success. 

Encouraged by the Administration's support for tribal educational self­-determination, the Pueblo decided last year to convert the school to local control, concluding that the Tribal Council and School Board were better suited to address the school's problems, which included declining enrollment, high turnover of leadership and dissatisfaction with educational priorities. Among planned innovations for the school is adding the Pueblo's culture and traditions to the curriculum, including a native Tiwa language program, and updating and improving the school's technology. More information on this school transition can be found in the Department of the Interior News Release.  
KRQE News

Related news articles: Albuquerque Journal, Valencia County News
Haskell Accreditation Reaffirmed 
Haskell Indian Nations University's accreditation has been reaffirmed by the Higher Learning Commission for another decade. Haskell is one of two post-secondary institutions directly operated by the BIE. This accreditation ensures academic programs meet nationally recognized standards and is required for universities to receive federal funds for student financial aid and research.

A team of HLC consultant-evaluators visited the Haskell campus April 13 - 15, 2015 for the university's 10-year review which included visits with university faculty and staff and presentations from Haskell students. The visit resulted in accreditation through 2024-2025.

 "When we bundle our commitment together, we can accomplish much for tribal students seeking to realize their dreams and potential through higher education, " said Haskell President Dr. Venida Chenault in a press release

Related news articles. Lawrence Journal World, WIBW
Nike's N7 Programs Announces Funding Opportunities  for Native Youth Through Generation Indigenous  
Grants are now available to Native youth for sport and physical activity programs and initiatives.

As a part of President Obama's Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) initiative, Nike, Inc. and the N7 Fund has partnered with the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) to extend grant opportunities as a resource for Native youth leaders promoting health and wellness through sport and physical activity in their community. 
Native youth can now apply for up to $10,000 in funding for their programs and initiatives through the N7 Fund website. More information on the grants can be found in a Center for Native American Youth Press Release. To apply, visit the N7 Fund Website
Help Promote Suicide Prevention in 1 Photo & 6 Words
This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) invite you to share your actions to help prevent suicide and provide support through  1 Photo, 6 Words. # VetoViolence

Take a photo or create a unique image with six words that:

  • Promotes an action that supports people and helps prevent suicide,
  • Educates others about how to save lives, or
  • Honors National Suicide Prevention Month.
  Post your photo and six words on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and add #VetoViolence.  Select entries may be featured on  VetoViolence Facebook and federal social media channels during National Suicide Prevention Month!
Little Wound School Basketball Player to Commits to Florida International Univesity 
There was excitement at Little Wound School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota when Nate Brown Bull, the 7-foot-1 basketball team center signed with Florida International University in Miami, Florida.  Nate has earned praise from sports writers as having a huge impact on South Dakota basketball. During his senior year, he  averaged 17  points , 12 rebounds and 7.1 blocks per game for the Little Wound Mustangs. Brown Bull was also named to the Class A All-State second team this past season. Congratulations! 
Building Technical Assistance for the BIE
On August 6-7 2015, BIE senior managers gathered at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, NM to develop technical assistance priorities. The two-day meeting facilitated by Brad Jupp, Senior Program Advisor at the Department of Education, guided senior managers in the development of technical assistance priorities using data collected from needs assessments given to schools and tribes. In addition, senior managers determined core competencies that each staff member should posses and developed communication strategies to reach out to schools and tribes. By the end of the meeting, senior managers felt energized to work towards the BIE's shared vision of meeting school and tribal needs, and developing the BIE staff capacity to meet those needs. 




Tribal Education Departments Highlight Their Vision 
for Indian Education  
Jeremy Oyenque of Santa Clara Pueblo's Department of Youth and Learning 
On August 5, 2015, the Tribal Education Department
(TED) grantees met in Albuquerque, NM to present on their projects for the upcoming year. The TED staff had a chance to hear presentations by the Hopi Tribal Education Department, Department of Diné Education, Oglala Sioux's Tribal Education Agency, Pueblo of Acoma's Department of Education, Rosebud Sioux Tribe's Education Department, and Santa Clara's Department of Youth and Learning. Each tribe exchanged their vision and goals for the next three years to implement a tribally managed school system to improve student outcomes. The BIE is excited to support the TEDs in their efforts to build tribal capacity to meet the needs of their tribal nation.
BIE Schools 
The updated BIE National Directory is now available. The 2015 Directory provides contact information for the BIE Central Office, Division of Performance & Accountability, Division of Administration, Human Resources, Associate Deputy Director Offices, BIE and BIA Facilities Managers, BIE operated schools, tribally controlled schools, and post-secondary institutions as well as BIA Facilities, Safety, Property, and Environmental Regional Contacts. 
BIE school information such as location, address, and grade level can also be easily located on the new BIE schools map
BIE is now on LinkedIn
The BIE has launched a LinkedIn company page, highlighting to most up-to-date information from the BIE. LinkedIn  is a free business-focused social networking site to help people network professionally. Follow us to stay informed about our latest news, events, and career opportunities at the BIE. 
Bureau of Indian Education
1849 C Street NW
Washington D.C., 20240
(202) 208-6123

www.bie.edu

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