Tribe hosting Indian education event

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will host the Oregon Indian Education Association conference slated for Monday and Tuesday, April 2-3, at the Tribal Education Center and gymnasium.

The 37^th annual conference, "Dig Deep: Revitalizing American Indian & Alaska Native Education," will include breakout sessions, as well as such housekeeping requirements as elections, resolutions, by-laws, budget and awards.

"These conference sessions include issues specific to education legislation, curriculum development and student support services," said Tribal member and Tribal Education Department Manager April Campbell. "Participants will choose among 40 presentations addressing issues facing Indian education today."

Breakout sessions for the two-day conference include:

• The Governor's "Oregon Learns" Education Compacts: Hope or Panacea for Indian Education? (Room 126A).
• Nixyaawii Community School: A Charter School on the Umatilla Reservation (Room 126B).
• Indian Mascots in Oregon, Part I: FAQ's and Summary of Research (gym).
• Stepping Out of "No Child Left Behind": Oregon's Next Generation of Educational Accountability (Room 126A).
• Healing Feathers Suicide Awareness & Wellness Project (Room126B).
• Indian Mascots in Oregon, Part II: Neutralizing Pushback & Public Comments (gym).
• Changes in Federal & State Financial Aid and Advocating for Aid (Room 126A).
• The Need and Relevance of a Science Education for Native Youth (Room 126B).
• Feeding the Pipeline: Bridge of the Gods Summer Academy (gym).
• Preparing Native American Students with Disabilities for Transition After High School (Room 124).
• Oregon College Access Network; What Can This New Organization Do for You and Your Students? (Room 126A).
• Compassionate Classrooms (Room 126B).
• Developing Curriculum that Honors Tribal Legacies (gym).
• Student-led Indigenous Language Revitalization Initiative at Portland State University (Room 124).
• Beyond the Oregon Trail: Oregon's Untold History (Room 126A).
• Violence Prevention and Self-Esteem Support (Room 126B).
• Salmon is Everything Part I (gym).
• Gates Millennium Scholarship Workshop (Room 124).
• IEP 101, How to Be an Advocate for Students Served by Special Education (Room 126A).
• The Big Picture is Amazing/Rekindling the Fire (Room 126B).
• Salmon is Everything Part II (gym).

"Join us on the final day," said Campbell, "as OIEA announces the results of their award nomination to select an Outstanding Indian Educator of the Year, Parent of the Year, Elder of the Year, Higher Education Student of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Student of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

"For those interested in learning more about Indian Education, I encourage you to participate in the conference. The registration cost is minimal and attendees can register on site."

Further information can be found at the OIEA Web site: www.oiea.org.