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Indian Education Department reports steady enrollment, flags uncertain Johnson O'Malley funding; NASA student praises program
Summary
Gordon Treetop told the Aberdeen School Board the Indian Education Department served growing student numbers but faces uncertain Johnson O'Malley funding; NASA student Cassidy Miller testified that the program gives cultural and social support.
Gordon Treetop, delivering the Indian Education Department's annual report to the Aberdeen Public School Board on Oct. 27, said the program continues to expand but faces funding uncertainty for Johnson O'Malley services.
"Last year, we got $12,200," Treetop said, noting the program usually receives about $18,000–$22,000 annually and that a carryover budget has helped sustain activities this year. He told the board the district currently lists 285 students in Johnson O'Malley services and that the program has started the year with existing funds from prior years.
The report detailed program activities that officials described as central to cultural and academic support. Treetop said cultural mentoring and a drum group have been active this year; students participated in an out-of-school trip described as a seven-mile challenge and staff plan drumstick-making and hand-games instruction in coming months. He also reported recent back-to-school supplies outreach that served 186 students this year at a cost the presentation identified as about $9,000, compared with 141 students served the prior year at roughly $14,800.
Cassidy Miller, identified in the meeting as secretary of the Native American Student Association, spoke directly to the board about the student experience. "NASA made it really easy to make friends and real connections with the people around me and also my culture," she said, describing movie nights, ceremonies and study sessions as key supports. Miller told board members the organization provided students a safe, welcoming place to share stories and cultural traditions.
Treetop said staffing and community partnerships support those activities: a new tutor is expected to join at Central, a local elder (noted in the presentation as Richard Smith, known to students as "Bubba") has assisted with drum instruction, and the program coordinates with local agencies such as New Beginning Center for winter support drives. He also said the district is searching for an art or quill vendor after the previous vendor closed.
Treetop cautioned some larger events such as the spring "welcome back to Thunder" ceremony may be affected by budget constraints; no formal board action or funding decision was taken at the meeting.
The report was presented as an informational item; board members thanked the presenters for the update.
