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Native American Student Association members describe cultural programs; Indian Education department outlines budget and services
Summary
The Indian Education Department and a NASA student speaker described cultural mentoring, student supports and program budgets; staff noted cuts in some Johnson O'Malley spending and ongoing cultural activities.
Gordon Treetop, who presented the Indian Education Department's annual report, summarized program activity, funding and student services and introduced Cassidy Miller, secretary of the Native American Student Association (NASA), who spoke about her experience in the student group.
Treetop told the board that Johnson O'Malley funding and Title VI dollars support supplies and cultural programming; he said last year Johnson O'Malley provided $12,200 and that the program typically receives about $18,000 to $22,000 annually. He said the program began the year with a carryover budget from prior years and that staff had reduced some line items, including the Johnson O'Malley shoe supply. He reported 285 students currently served by Johnson O'Malley and described back-to-school supplies and shoe distributions: last year the program served 141 students at a cost of about $14,800; this year staff served 186 students for roughly $9,000.
"We continue to do everything we have done in the past," Treetop said, describing tutoring and cultural mentoring, a drum group and hand-games instruction; he noted plans for a hand-drumstick-making class on Nov. 18 and that community member Richard "Bubba" Smith assists with drum instruction.
Cassidy Miller, NASA secretary, described NASA as a place for students to connect to culture and peers: "NASA made it really easy to make friends and real connections with the people around me and also my culture," Miller said, recounting trips, ceremonies and a seven-mile Black LP trip that she called "unforgettable." Miller thanked the board for supporting students and their cultural programming.
Treetop and Miller answered questions about tutors, eighth-grade events, feather blessings and procurement challenges; staff said some previously used vendors are no longer in business and that the welcome-back ceremony and other events are dependent on budget decisions for the winter months.
