THREE TRIBES TO FORM CONSORTIUM, SIGN AGREEMENT

THREE TRIBES TO FORM EDUCATION CONSORTIUM,
WILL SIGN AGREEMENT

Photos and Story by Michael Meuers

On the second day of a two-day Education Summit, Thursday January 20th, 2011, a very special agreement will be signed about noon by the Chairs of three Indian Nations.  The event will be held at the Seven Clans Casino and Event Center at Red Lake

The Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth Tribes will come together and pledge to cooperate and work together on educational improvements in such crucial areas as Ojibwe language preservation, Indian education improvements, grant partnering and grant endorsements.  

"The idea for this new three-Tribe educational consortium, (with mutually beneficial advocacy efforts) was partially patterned from the very successful Tri-Tribes Economic Development Commission organized in 2006", said Red Lake Nation College president Dan King.  "The three Tribal chairs from Red Lake, White Earth, and Leech Lake, along with the three Tribal College presidents, will all sign this historic Education Nation agreement", he said.  "The plan is to also have an agreement signed by the three Education Directors/Superintendents of schools", King concluded.

SUMMARY OF THE EDUCATION NATION CONSORTIUM RESOLUTION BETWEEN RED LAKE, LEECH LAKE & WHITE EARTH TRIBAL NATIONS.  To Be Signed on Thursday, January 20, 2011

WHEREAS, the three Tribes of Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth have historically close ties; and since we are all members of the Great Ojibwe Nation; and all share the same Ojibwe language and culture; and have recently worked together on economic development and social issues; and have similar educational challenges; and each have Tribal Colleges to serve their respective Tribal Communities;

BE IT RESOLVED, during the educational summit, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and the White Earth Band of Ojibwe agree to cooperate, share ideas and work together on making educational improvements to the following major issues affecting Indian education:

The crucial and urgent issue of Ojibwe language preservation; and Any and all issues affecting Indian education specific program improvements; and Mutually agreed upon educational grant partnering and grant endorsements from this new three-Tribe educational consortium; and Mutually beneficial advocacy efforts that will help the Tribes of this new consortium;

and since all of the Tribes of this new consortium also have tribal colleges to serve their respective tribal communities, the Tribal College Presidents will also work together on all of these areas that can be of mutual benefit to all Members of this consortium, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the three Tribal leaders and the three Tribal College Presidents will all sign this historic Education Nation consortium agreement, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the three Tribal Education Directors/Superintendents, if any, of the three respective K-12 Tribal school systems for Tribal Members, will also work together on all of these areas that can be of mutual benefit to all Members of this consortium, and also sign this historic Education Nation consortium agreement, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the three Tribes will together create a new charter of operations to establish a process for adding new members, voting, and also sign this new document.