[HERITAGE-LIST] Conference: National Native Language Revitalization Summit (13-14 July, DC)

[Scott G. McGinnis]

“CALL TO CONVENE”

ALL LANGUAGE ADVOCATES, INDIAN EDUCATORS AND TRIBAL LEADERS INVITED TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE INDIAN PROVISIONS IN THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION



WASHINGTON  D.C. – The United States Department of Education Building and Senate Dirksen Building will swing open their doors to Indian Country July 13th and 14th for the Fourth Annual National Native Language Revitalization Summit hosted by the National Alliance to Save Native Languages and Co-sponsored by the National Congress of American Indians, National Indian Education Association and National Indian Gaming Association.



In its fourth year the Summit will bring together language advocates, educators and tribal leaders from throughout Indian country.  They will convene in an unprecedented effort to advance American Indian Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian provisions in the ESEA reauthorization.  Culturally Based Education and in particular Native languages will be vigorously defended.



United States Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) will host the delegation in the morning of July 13th in Senate Dirksen 138.  Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk and Bureau of Indian Education Director Keith Moore are featured speakers along with Pila Wilson, and the keynote address will be delivered by Colin Kippen of the Native Hawaiian Education Council.  Immersion school panels, and a presentation on the proposed White House Executive Order on Native Languages will round out the morning session.  After lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian the Summit will reconvene in the Department of Education LBJ building auditorium where Education Secretary Duncan is invited to give special remarks.  Ryan Wilson will deliver a major policy address on Indian Education, Native Languages and the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.



Day two of the Summit will start in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Hearing Room in Senate Dirksen Rm 628.  It will feature special remarks by various members of Congress and hill visits to members and committees of jurisdiction. The Summit is heavily attended by members of Congress and over 50 hill visits are planned for Summit participants “ the dramatic expansion of federal support for language programs and immersion schools is directly linked to our engagement, this is a crucial event at a crucial political moment” shared Ryan Wilson President of the National Alliance.  The ESEA reauthorization represents an opportunity for Indian Country to strengthen tribal sovereignty and redefine Indian education as we know it.  The Summit will provide a unique opportunity for Indian Country to reach out to members of Congress and address the unique cultural and linguistic needs of Native learners.



The Summit is free and open to all stakeholders.



FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL Ryan Wilson at 701-421-6567