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Category: Friends
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^Red Tree Woman^
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| Date: |
Apr 17, 2007 1:46 PM |
| Subject |
Two tribal colleges left behind by President Bush |
| Body: |
Two tribal colleges whose budgets have been repeatedly cut by the Bush
administration have finally found a political solution to their budget
problems.
Become a favorite of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne.
That appears to be the only way to ensure the United Tribes Technical
College in North Dakota and Navajo Technical College in New Mexico won't end
up on the cutting floor again. For the past six years, both institutions
have had their budgets zeroed out by the administration.
David Gipp, the president of UTTC, has tried to figure out why. For more
than 30 years, the Bureau of Indian Affairs always funded the school up
until President Bush came on board in 2001.
Given UTTC's strong tribal support and academic success, Gipp told the
Senate Indian Affairs Committee last Thursday that he couldn't understand
how that happened. He finally found out at a meeting with the White House
Office of Management and Budget.
"The most frank answer I've received from this administration is that until
you're a favorite of the secretary of the Interior, you're not going to get
funding," he said. "It's a political question.
Congress has repeatedly restored funds to UTTC and NTC, citing their
benefits for tribes and students. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the
chairman of the committee, said tribal colleges help people with limited
options for higher education become successful.
"Tribal colleges allow that opportunity to exist," he said at the hearing.
"For those reasons, I strongly support the tribal collect system."
But there are two major obstacles facing UTTC and NTC. One is the
administration's focus on K-12 education, through the No Child Left Behind
Act, which means the entire tribal college system is not a priority.
"We're trying to make the most of the funds we do have," said assistant
secretary Carl Artman, in his first appearance before the committee since
taking control of the BIA.
The second obstacle is the law. According to the administration, UTTC and
NTC don't quality for funding under the same act of Congress as the other
30-plus tribal colleges, so there is nothing holding the BIA accountable for
these institutions.
Members of Congress from both parties have repeatedly restored money to the
two schools. But Elmer Guy, the president of Navajo Technical College, said
the lack of support from the administration places uncertainty and stress on
the community.
"Education is about the future, and when the future is clouded and troubles
seems to always verge on creating disaster, then planning efforts go awry,
key professionals look for other jobs, students question if they should make
a decision that is in their best interest, and keeping everyday tasks going
gets harder," Guy's testimony stated.
To prevent uncertainty in the future, the American Indian Higher Education
Consortium, which represents all the tribal colleges, wants Congress to
amend the law to include UTTC and NTC. The group also wants Congress to
increase the base level of funding, as well as future funding, for the
colleges.
As for the political question, Dorgan pressed Artman, a member of the Oneida
Nation of Wisconsin, to become a "missionary" for the schools. He said he
hoped the 2009 budget proposal -- the last of the Bush administration --
would finally contain money for UTTC and NTC.
"I know you want to be there to make a difference," Dorgan told Artman. "We
want to help you make a difference."
When you arise in the morning
give thanks for the morning light
give thanks for your food
and the joy of living
If you see no reason for giving thanks
the fault lies in yourself
Red Tree Woman | ..>
10:14 PM
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