Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 2001 — Indigenous educators convene in Sioux country [ARTICLE]

Indigenous educators convene in Sioux country

By Peter Hanohano Peter Hanohano is with the Native Hawaiian Education Council. This monthly education eolumn is coordinated by Dr. David Kekaulike Sing, director of Nā Pua No 'eau. ĪWO DOZEN Native Hawaiian educators made history in October when, for the first time, they were allowed to register as general voting members of the Nahonal Indian Education Association (NIEA) at its 31st cpnvention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The theme of the convention was, 'Tribal Tradition and Technology — Our Pathway to the 21st Century." Dr. Gloria Sly, president of the NIEA, explained the eonneehon of the theme to native eommunities as: "From the beginning, technology has played, and continues to play, a key role in tribal development. Previously, tools such as the horse and the automobile revolutionized Indian country in countless ways. Now, computers, the Internet, and wireless communications are bringing new changes into our lives. Like horses and cars, they are carrying us into a new century and a new world. As educators and parents, we must find ways to harness these tools to improve the quality of

education in our schools, to preserve eulture and languages, and to enable our children to compete in a world growing ever more challenging and complex. While we ean measure how far our people have eome in 100 years, we must also determine where next we need to go" As general members, Native Hawaiians are now provided the same opportunities as American Indians and Alaska Natives through the association. With a membership of nearly 3,000, the NIEA has become an important voice in advocating for and representing the interests of native people throughout the U.S. Long time convention attendee, Dr. David Sing stated, "Over the past 10 years, I have attended the convention networking with other Native educators throughout the nation. I attended workshops and made presentations over the years learning a great deal about issues and challenges we have in eommon and strategies and solutions, whieh ean be rephcated, between our nations. However, the only thing missing was that I was considered an associate (non-Native/non-voting) member. That meant that I could not vote for board members nor could I run for the board. I also couldn't vote on initiatives with national implications. With the Native Hawaiians being voted in at last year's convention, we are now considered

general members of the association. This ean do a lot for Hawaiian education. This allows us to join hands with other native educators nationally and to raise the level of consciousness of our needs within the areas of education." Īhe Hawaiian delegation was invited during the convention's main assembly to present its ho'okupu to the Board and later marched with the leaders of the Association in the grand entry of their annual pow wow. The Hawaiian delegation consisted primarily of members of the Native Hawaiian Education Council (NHEC), whieh is a 25-member eouneil of community representatives, government agencies, educational institutions and programs, and Hawaiian organizations from across the state and representing all islands. Established by Congress, the eouneil seeks to address the educational needs and to improve the educational status of Native Hawaiians, and to increase their participation in the educational process. The council's mission statement and goals are: The Native Hawaiian Education Couneil promotes and supports educational excellence for Native Hawaiians to thrive and flourish through:

• The Spirit of Aloha Ke Akua (God is Love) • Educational Leadership • Coordination of educational and related services • Appropriate recommendations • Collaborative partnership and development Goal 1: Substantially reform education to benefit Hawai'i nei ba'sed upon culturally appropriate practices and models. Goal 2: Fostering educational leadership in Native Hawaiians. Goal 3: Maximize the use of resources. Goal 4: Engage and involve all stakeholders for the improvement of education for Native Hawaiians. Native Hawaiian Education Association Native Hawaiian educators at home have formed a similar association. The Native Hawaiian Education Association (NHEA) was started two years ago with the purpose of networking Hawaiian educators throughout the state with eaeh other and resources as a means to improve the education for Hawaiian ehildren. The 2nd Annual Convention will take plaee on March 29-31, at Kapi'olani Community College. ■

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