Choctaw and other tribal leaders ask Congress to boost BIE, JOM and early‑education funding and support language programs
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Summary
Witnesses described tribal investments in language and early‑childhood programs and asked the House subcommittee to increase Bureau of Indian Education and Johnson O'Malley funding, citing inadequate per‑pupil amounts and school facility backlogs.
Several witnesses used the hearing to press for larger federal investments in tribal education, preservation of native languages and BIE school construction.
Stacy Shepherd, executive officer of member services for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, said the Choctaw Nation is the third‑largest federally recognized tribe and has prioritized education as a tool for empowerment. Shepherd told the subcommittee the tribe's Head Start and Jones Academy (a Bureau of Indian Education residential school) receive federal funds that the tribe substantially supplements, and reported that "for 2 consecutive years, 90 percent of the Jones Academy graduating seniors have enrolled in college, trade school, or military with a 70 percent continuation rate."
Shepherd urged continued funding for Johnson O'Malley (JOM), vocational rehabilitation and BIE schools, citing inflation and a need for increased per‑pupil dollars. Kathleen (Red Hill Woman) described BIE disparities, citing a two‑year flat funding pattern that leaves Indian student funding far below state per‑pupil levels (witness cited BIE funding around $6,910 per pupil vs. state averages around $16,080 and Department of Defense schools at $25,000 per student) and noting a multi‑billion backlog in school construction and operations reported to Congress.
Several members and witnesses praised tribal language programs. Chairman Simpson and other members singled out the Choctaw Nation's language school and apprenticeship work as a model of tribal reinvestment and cross‑district public partnerships: Shepherd said the Choctaw language program reaches hundreds of public schools and reported at least 1,100 students have taken Choctaw courses.
Witnesses asked the subcommittee to protect tribal education funding during appropriations and to consider advanced appropriations or mandatory treatment for some line items to ensure continuity of services.
Ending: Members said they will continue to review BIE funding levels and school backlog reports and urged tribes to provide more written documentation of needed costs to help shape FY26 funding requests.