Volume 12 Number 1
October 1972

William J. Benham

T0 IMPROVE educational opportunities for Indian students, an Indian Education Resources Center has been established in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The main goal of the Center is to serve Indian education by providing leadership or help for change, resources for improvement and advocacy of Indian rights.

In 1971, of the more than 200,000 Indian students 5 to 18 years of age, about 48,000 were in federal schools. Of course, these are the main concern of the Center. At the same time, there is concern and help available to a limited extent to the 130,000-plus attending public schools, and the 10,000-plus attending "other" schools. Another main area of operation and concern is the students enrolled in colleges and universities.

The Center is part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Washington Office of Education Programs headed by James E. Hawkins. It was established after a thorough review of the Bureau’s Central Office of Education Programs revealed a need to locate some Washington office educational services closer to the scene of action. As a consequence, a Field Services Office was established in Albuquerque, and part of the Washington based education staff located there. The name was changed from "Field Services" to "The Indian Education Resources Center" in August, 1972. Services provided are:

Assistance in the planning and development of improved educational programs in Bureau, contract and, to a limited extent, public schools serving Indian students.

Cooperation in the identification of problem areas, assistance in the mobilization of financial resources and formation of teams under local leadership for curriculum improvement: language arts, including bilingual education; cultural arts, both Indian and non-Indian; science with emphasis on environmental education and ethno-science; music and its relationship to dance, folklore and culture; early childhood education for K-3 groups; administration, especially pupil accountability and operating standards.

A recent example of these services is found in the work of an Early Childhood Education Specialist working with HEW and NEA to develop guidelines for BIA pilot Parent-Child Development Programs. Also science consultant services were made available to the Environmental Pollution Workshop in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. There has also been help given in teacher training, bilingual projects and other areas.

Consultation and funding advocacy for programs serving handicapped and gifted children, academic and vocational guidance, psychological services, school health, food services, dormitory operations, school social work, student government, recreation and social development. Allocation of scholarship grant funds, distribution of higher education program information and coordination of services.

Recent examples of this involves spearheading a task force on testing which advocates students rights and a review and a report of current activities in special education which hopefully serve as an extension of this program to the estimated 8,000 Indian students who need these services. Also, the number of students receiving grants for higher education is expected to rise from 10,500 to 14,500 in 1972-73.

Assistance in the development of evaluation activities which will produce reliable information about the quality and quantity of Indian education programs. Consultation in the proper utilization, administration and interpretation of test instruments and data. Collection and dissemination of research data relative to Indian education.

The activities in this division have included an evaluation of contract schools at Ramah, New Mexico; Rough Rock, Arizona; Wind River, Wyoming; and Miccosukee, Florida. The Chilocco school and the Indian Law Program have been evaluated recently. Also, an assessment of the Bureau’s Higher Education Program and the Migrant Center at Central Washington State are being undertaken.

Assistance in the development of educational specifications and budget justifications for school construction. Consultation on space planning and equipment needs; procurement of furnishings and equipment for new construction and training in its use.

The School Facilities Division recently participated in planning activities for Manuelito Hall in Gallup, New Mexico; Seneca, Oklahoma; Acoma, New Mexico; Hopi High School in Arizona; Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Turtle Mountain High School in North Dakota; and Cherokee High School in North Carolina.

The staff also worked on equipment ordering for Polacca in Arizona; Cherokee, North Carolina; Turtle Mountain, North Dakota; Ramah, New Mexico; Carter Multi-purpose room in Oklahoma; Stewart Gym in Nevada; Haskell print shops, home economics, food labs, electrical shops, offices, and classrooms in Kansas. Equipment is being installed in the Bethel, Alaska, dorm and inventory made at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in New Mexico.

Distribution of 16 mm educational films to Bureau schools; limited services to public schools with predominant Indian enrollment. Maintenance of still picture file of Bureau activities with prints available for use in schools and publications. Production of 16 mm educational and documentary films which relate Indian needs, programs and progress. In this, the cost of production must be borne by the requesting office. The film production includes work on an Alaskan film dealing with the land claim and settlement. A new film is being developed on "school design." About 30,000 bookings have been made for film distribution this year.

Funds for the education of Indian children in school districts eligible under the Johnson-OMalley program. Advice and assistance on preparation, renewal, administration and monitoring of JO’M contracts. Allocation of Title I funds and approval of project application; monitoring of projects. Assistance in planning, coordinating and requesting funds from non-BIA sources such as Elementary and Secondary Education Act, National Defense Education Act, foundation grants and others.

In this division, 145 projects, serving about 22,000 students in federal schools involving nearly $13,000,000 had already been approved by August for this school year. Also, there has been a meeting of state Johnson-O’Malley directors, tribal officials, Bureau and other representatives to discuss national trends, which affect Indian education in the public schools.

Other related Bureau field education services which are not a part of the Indian Education Resources Center: a. Cultural studies unit in Santa Fe provides for research and materials production; b. Professional library and instructional media center in Brigham City, Utah, provide books, Indian materials and consultative services; and c. Billy Mills, Olympic gold medal winner, will head a new needed thrust in health and physical education activities.

It is the hope, the aim, the goal that these services to schools serving Indian students will be able to help tribal groups, school boards, agency and area staff members improve educational opportunities for Indian students.