Action: “Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education Act”

Please help to spread the word that we need to contact our State Representatives to make them aware that HB 2929 will be brought to the floor of the House TODAY for a final vote before being sent to the Governor’s office. We need our legislators to know of our interest in this bill and its passing the House. This is our chance to make a mark in Indian education for our children and grandchildren to meet their needs more effectively by engaging the collaborative energies of this state body to guide the process of dialogue, deliberation, and discussion of how to serve our native students of the state of Oklahoma! Together we can make this happen in the best interest of our people. Aho! Mvto!

Society to Preserve Indigenous Rights & Indigenous Traditions

Crossposted at Native American Netroots

Please read, act and forward to everyone and anyone, lets get this bill going!

This 52nd legislative session, Oklahoma State Representative AND House Education Committee Chair Ann Coody, from Comanche County has authored HB 2929, the “Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education Act”. It reads in part:

“The purpose of the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education Act is to recognize the unique relationship that Oklahoma enjoys with the Indian tribes located within the state and how Native Americans and Indian tribes play a pivotal role in the educational system of the state in light of this special relationship. The further purpose of the act is to establish the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education. The purpose of creating the Council is to promote equitable and culturally relevant learning environments, educational opportunities and instructional material for Native American students enrolled in the public schools of the state. Because of the number of Native American students enrolled in public schools in the state, this objective will positively affect the educational success of all public school students and encourage further government-to-government cooperation between the State of Oklahoma and the sovereign Indian tribes located in Oklahoma .”

and

“A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education.

B. The Council shall:

1. Advise the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction in educational matters affecting the education of Native American students;

2. Promote equal educational opportunity and improve the quality of education provided to Native American students throughout the state;

3. Advocate for Native American students in the state; and

4. Monitor and evaluate how the public education system of the state impacts Native American students.

C. The Council shall be composed of seventeen (17) members as follows:

1. Five members who shall represent an Indian tribe in the state, appointed by the Governor from a list of nominations submitted by the different Indian tribes in the state;

2. Four members who shall represent the tribal education departments of an Indian tribe in the state, appointed by the Governor from a list of nominations submitted by the different Indian tribes in the state;

3. One member who shall represent the Oklahoma Council on Indian Education, appointed by the Governor;

4. Two members who shall represent two different statewide organizations representing public school teachers, appointed by the Governor;

5. One member who shall represent Oklahoma tribal colleges, appointed by the Chancellor of Higher Education;

6. The Director of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority or designee;

7. The Chancellor of Higher Education, or designee;

8. The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, or designee; and

9. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, or designee.

D. Appointments to the Council shall be made by September 1, 2010……..”

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. CALL AND E-MAIL THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ASKING THEM TO SUPPORT THIS BILL;

2.  CALL AND E-MAIL YOUR TRIBAL REPRESENTATIVES AND GET THEM TO SUPPORT THIS BILL;

3. CALL AND E-MAIL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO TELL THEM TO SUPPORT THIS BILL;Find your legislators: http://www.capitolconnect.com/…

4. CALL AND E-MAIL THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN CAUCUS TO TELL THEM TO SUPPORT THIS BILL;The Native American Caucus Members: http://www.ok.gov/oiac/State-T…

http://ok.gov/oiac/State-Triba…

Full text of the act is here: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok…

DO THIS FOR THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH, OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH NEED THIS….

MVTO!!!

Oklahoma House of Representatives Common Education Committee:

http://www.okhouse.gov/Committ…

E-mail addresses

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Oklahoma State Senate Education Committee: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/

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Sample e-mail:

Dear Honorable Member of the Education Committee:

HB 2929 is a crucial bill for the American Indian youth and children of Oklahoma . This Bill will help address concerns of the American Indian population across the state while correcting wrongs perpetuated by a broken education system.  Please stand up for the unheard population of Oklahoma and support HB 2929 with your vote this legislative session.  Our American Indian youth and children are counting on you. I will gladly discuss my position with you at length should you desire to contact me.  Thank you in advance for your support of HB 2929.  

Thank you,

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Address

Contact Information

Thank you, Brenda Golden on behalf of

Society to Preserve Indigenous Rights & Indigenous Traditions

(Posted with permission from the author)