Newsletter                                                                                                              May 18, 2015
Message from the Director 

This past week was one of the most rewarding I've had as Director of  the BIE. I had the privilege and honor to speak before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the House Education and the Workforce Committee. This spotlight on BIE shows Congress's strong commitment to Indian children and is an opportunity to highlight the progress of our reform and reorganization. After speaking with Congress, I am more confident than ever that all of our efforts will result in greater academic outcomes for our Indian children.  

 

Dr. Charles M. Roessel 

BIE Announces the Availability of Funds to Build the Capacity of Tribal Education Departments 
Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Kevin W. Washburn announced in a press release that $2 million in grants are available for federally recognized tribes and their tribal education departments (TED). These TED grants are designed to help tribes assume control of BIE-funded schools in their communities, promote tribal education capacity, and provide academically rigorous and culturally appropriate education to Indian students on their reservations and trust lands.  

Grant awards will range from $25,000 to $150,000 per fiscal year depending on the number of projects, number of education programs impacted, project design and expected outcomes. Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, grants will be provided for three years and may be renewed for additional two-year terms based on performance. Detailed information on eligibility and the application process can be found in the Federal Register

BIE will assist tribes in the development and operation of TEDs for the purpose of planning and coordinating all educational programs of the tribe. Each proposal must include a project narrative, a budget narrative, a work plan outline, and a project coordinator to serve as the point of contact for the program. The project coordinator is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the TED fulfills the obligations of its grant.The deadline to apply is June 15, 2015. 

The BIE will provide three pre-grant application training sessions to support tribes and TEDs in applying for grants. Details are listed in the table  below:

Date  Time  Location 
May 18, 2015 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (EDT) Webinar: Registration
May 27, 2015  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
(Local Time)
Bureau of Indian Education
1011 Indian School Road
Albuquerque, NM 87104
June 1, 2015 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Local Time)
United Tribes Technical College 
3315 University Drive 
Bismarck, ND 58504
BIE Holds Tribal Consultation in Albuquerque 
Due to requests from tribal leadership, BIE held an additional  tribal consultation on the proposed reorganization of the BIE at the Isleta Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, NM on May 15, 2015. 

BIE has hosted four tribal consultation meetings onsite in Rapid City, SD; Nashville, TN; Window Rock, AZ; and Oklahoma City, OK and one online via webinar since April 22, 2015. 


The period to provide written comments on the proposed reorganization has been extended to Friday, May 22, 2015. For more information visit the BIE Tribal Consultation web page

BIE National Directory 
The BIE National Directory is now available in the BIE website. The 2015 directory includes comprehensive contact information on the BIE Central office, Division of Performance and Accountability, Division of Administration, Human Resources, Associate Deputy Director offices, Facilities, and all BIE operated and tribally controlled schools. 
SIPI  Healthiest Tastiest Indian Taco Contest 

 


 


 

The American Indian College Fund Embrey Place-based Leadership and Community Organizing Fellowship scholars Jeannette Romero and Reynelda Piaso hosted a Healthiest Tastiest Indian Taco Recipe Contest at SIPI on May 13, 2105. The scholars collaborated with SIPI's Chef, Leonard Bailey, and the Indian Health Service's Dietician, Teresa Kuracina, on judging the food. The top five winners will have their recipes published for distribution to Native American community health organizations. 

 

BIE Director Testifies Before House and Senate 
Last week, BIE Director, Dr. Charles Roessel testified before Congress at two hearings on Indian Education. The first held on Wednesday, May 13 was before the  Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in the oversight hearing, "Bureau of Indian Education: Examining Organizational Challenges in Transforming Educational Opportunities for Indian Children." During this hearing, Dr. Roessel provided BIE's vision for American Indian Education in BIE-funded schools. The audio and written testimony are available online.  On Thursday, May 14 the House Education and the Workforce Committee heard testimony from Dr. Roessel and  William Mendoza, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education in a hearing on "Examining the Federal Government's Mismanagement of Native American Schools."  

Join the BIE Facilities Listserv

BIE is committed to improving communication between our schools and divisions within the Department of the Interior that serve BIE. As part of this effort, BIE is collaborating with the Division of Facilities Management and Construction (DFMC), formerly OFMC, to create an email listserv that provides schools and facilities managers with the most up-to-date information and resources on facilities management and school construction. This email communication will offer listserv subscribers with news from the BIE and DFMC on policy updates, guidelines, training opportunities, and more.

 

To join this listserv, please complete the "Join Our Mailing List" link below. We welcome your questions and comments as we move forward with our efforts to improve BIE schools.  For more information please contact Kim Vigue at Kim.Vigue@bie.edu.  

BIE Webinar Series 
BIE will host two budget based webinars as a continuation of the BIE Basics: Introduction to the BIE's Budget Process webinar. The date and registration information is listed below. 

Calculating the ISEP Funding and Formula

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT 
Presenter: Dr. Joe Herrin, Financial Systems Specialist 

Description:  This presentation will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 from 4:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT and will discuss the Indian School Equalization Program (ISEP). ISEP formula funds are the primary funding for basic and supplemental educational programs at BIE-funded elementary and secondary schools. In SY 2015-2016, this funding will support an estimated 48,000 individual students with a calculated 41,330 Average Daily Membership (ADM) at BIE schools and dormitories. The presenter will describe how to calculate the formula and what the funds intended uses are. We will also answer questions about ISEP. 

To participate: Webinar Registration

Calculating Administrative Support Cost

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2015 - 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT 
Presenter: Dr. Joe Herrin, Financial Systems Specialist 

Description: This presentation will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will discuss the Administrative Support Grant, also known as the Tribal Support Cost. Administrative support costs cover the cost of necessary administrative functions which the tribe or tribal organization incurs as a result of operating a BIE-funded tribal elementary or secondary school. The presenter will describe how to calculate the formula and what the funds intended uses are. We will answer questions about the Administrative Support Grant. 

To participate: Webinar Registration  

Haskell Indian Nations University 2015 Graduation 
Haskell Indian Nations University held their commencement ceremony on May 8, 2015. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell delivered the commencement address to over 150 students who were awarded their associate's and bachelor's degrees. Secretary Jewell is the first Secretary of the Interior to speak at Haskell making her the highest-ranking administration official to speak at the Haskell commencement ceremony.  Students commemorated graduation with a commencement powwow at the Haskell Coffin Complex. This year also marked Haskell's 130th year of providing education and opportunity to Native American communities nationwide. 

 





Bureau of Indian Education | 1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
 | (202) 208-6123 

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