WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate unanimously approved her National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act.
The legislation would give Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) greater input over federal funding discussions that impact them. U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mon.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) cosponsored the legislation. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Tribal Colleges and Universities should not be left out of the conversation when it comes to federal education resources. I am glad to see this strong, bipartisan legislation pass the Senate with unanimous support. It’s long past time to ensure that the Departments of Education and Interior hear directly from TCU leaders about their challenges and funding needs,” said Senator Fischer.
“Montana’s Tribal Colleges and Universities educate and inspire Montana’s next generation of leaders, so it’s important that they have the tools they need to be successful. TCU leaders know best what their students and faculty need which is why they ought to have the opportunity to work directly with the Departments of Education and the Interior to make sure federal dollars are spent effectively. The Senate passing our commonsense bill is a big step forward and I’ll keep fighting to ensure Montana Tribes and TCU leaders have a seat at the table,” said Senator Tester.
“I am pleased that the NACIE Improvement Act has passed the Senate. Leaders of Tribal Colleges and Universities know the needs of their organizations, faculty and students better than anyone else. This legislation will amplify their voice on how to best meet those needs and improve the effectiveness of federal resources,” said Senator Rounds.
“A quality education is the foundation for success, and too often Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are left out of the decision-making process on federal funding. TCUs know and understand their students' needs, and when it comes to Native education they need to have their voices heard. That’s why I’m proud to celebrate passage of this bipartisan legislation that will ensure TCUs are at the table and have their needs considered in the agencies’ annual budget requests to Congress,” said Senator Luján.
“Tribal Advisory Councils are an integral part of the federal trust responsibility, ensuring that the voices of our Tribal Nations have a formal role in advising the federal government. The National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act is an important step that will serve to uplift the Nation-to-Nation relationship, securing the future of our Native children. It is time NACIE’s role in the Departments of Education and Interior is empowered and solidified. NIEA applauds the Senate passage of the NACIE Act and now looks towards the House to continue moving this important legislation forward,” said National Indian Education Association President Tesia Zientek.
“We are pleased that the NACIE bill has passed the Senate. It is important to include a seat at the table for our Tribal Colleges and Universities. They offer great insight and knowledge not only into the needs of their students and institutions but also of the educational system that serves these students throughout their education journey. Our students will be best served by all tribal educational systems working together to ensure they have the best possible educational opportunities,” said Interim President of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium John Phillips.
“Tribal Colleges and Universities applaud the Senate’s passage of the NACIE bill. Giving TCU’s a voice on NACIE advisory board and requiring these agencies to consider the board’s annual report in budget decisions will strengthen all levels of education, enhance opportunities for students, and deepen the relationships between the Departments of Education and the Interior and the constituents they serve,” said College of the Muscogee Nation President Monte Randall.
“Thanks to Senator Fischer’s leadership and other supporters of this bill, passage of the NACIE Act might be a real possibility. It will give one of the 35 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) President a seat on the federal budget committees to educate, advise and advocate for all TCUs. With the passage of this act, there will also be a better understanding between the Department of Education and Department of Interior (Bureau of Indian Education) regarding the needs of the TCUs,” said Little Priest Tribal College President Manoj Patil.
“The inclusion of Tribal Colleges on the NACIE board, under Senator Fischer’s leadership, is a needed step forward in making sure all of the educational entities that serve Native American learners have a voice and a vote,” said Nebraska Indian Community College President Dr. Mike Oltrogge.
Background
The Department of Education’s Tribal advisory group, the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE), advises the Secretaries of Education and Interior on programs serving Tribes and their members. NACIE releases an annual report, but the Department of Education does not have a process for considering NACIE’s report when developing its budget request.
Additionally, Department of Education tribal consultation sessions often do not provide the opportunity for TCU leaders to provide direct input.
The National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act would address these challenges by:
- Requiring at least one of NACIE’s members be the president of a Tribal College or University
- Requiring the Secretaries of Education and Interior to consider NACIE’s annual report when preparing their budgets each year
Text of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act can be found here.