The U.S. Department of the Interior (Department) seeks Tribal and stakeholder input regarding the implementation of the Indian Boarding School Initiative that Secretary Deb Haaland announced in June 2021. The Initiative's purpose is an initial collection and review of Department documents and records, and compilation of its existing data. These are first steps in addressing Indian boarding school policies and their effects as part of the Department's report due to the Secretary by April 1, 2022.
View information on the upcoming Indian Boarding School Initiative Tribal Consultations.
Who We Serve
The White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) Committee on Education aims to empower Native youth by providing comprehensive resources and support for learning while taking into consideration the unique cultural needs of Tribal communities.
New Initiatives
Native Language
Committee Members
Leads
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Wizipan Garriott
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs
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Tracy Goodluck
Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs
Participants
About the WHCNAA Committee on Education
The White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) Committee on Education strives to develop inter-agency resources and policies that support the overall well-being of students and teachers and help to create an optimal learning environment for Native students. Co-led by the Department of Education (ED), the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the White House – Domestic Policy Council, the Committee will focus on many issues including:
- Increasing vaccination access among students, teachers, and administrators—in coordination with the WHCNAA Committee on Health —to create a safer environment for learning and support the transition back to in-person schooling
- Improving access to behavioral and mental health resources for students, school staff, and local communities in partnership with the WHCNNA Committee on Health
- Developing a reliable IT infrastructure for Tribal communities to support distance learning from home as many students still lack access to internet outside of school
- Promoting Native language revitalization efforts in schools and a continued commitment by federal agencies to preserve and protect the rights and freedoms of Native communities to use their Native languages
- Supporting the Federal Boarding School Initiative, which was announced by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland
