Fischer, Colleagues Introduce Bill Giving Tribal Colleges and Universities a Stronger Voice in Education Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), along with U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mon.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), recently introduced the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act. The bill would give Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) greater input over federal funding discussions that impact them.

"Tribal Colleges and Universities deserve a seat at the table. This legislation will ensure the Depts. of Education and Interior hear directly from TCU leaders about their specific needs and how federal resources can address them. I appreciate the strong, bipartisan support our bill has already received, and I'll continue to work with my Senate colleagues to get this done," said Senator Fischer.

"Tribal Colleges and Universities play a key role in educating Montana's future leaders. That's why it's critically important that TCU leaders have the chance to work directly with the Departments of Education and the Interior to make sure federal dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively. I'm proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support TCU students, and look forward to getting this bill across the finish line," said Senator Tester.

"Leaders of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) know the needs of their organizations, faculty and students better than anyone else. This commonsense bill will enable TCUs to have a voice for how to meet those needs, and it will improve the effectiveness of federal resources. The inclusion of TCU partners will help support the work of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this bipartisan legislation, which will have a positive impact on the growth of TCUs for years to come," said Senator Rounds.
"The 35 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in the U.S., which together form the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, commend Senators Fischer and Tester for their leadership in introducing this important legislation. The National Advisory Council on Indian Education Act will ensure Tribal College and University voices are included and supported throughout the council's work, thereby strengthening the K-16 pathway for American Indian and Alaska Native students. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this much needed legislation," said Carrie L. Billy, President and CEO of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.

"A Tribal College or University President has an in-depth knowledge and expertise of the needs of TCUs, and having him/her give a voice to the budget needs will significantly assist the Department of Education and Department of Interior make informed decisions that can help and grow the TCUs," said Manoj Patil, President of Little Priest Tribal College.

"This bill will help to give the Tribal Colleges a voice. The inclusion of a Tribal College President on the NACIE board strengthens the voice of the group. The addition of the Tribal Colleges adds the currently missing sector of Native American Higher Education to the board. Further, the requirement of the bill that the DOE and DOI fully consider the report of the NACIE board during budget development is also monumental. At this point in time, there is no clear way for the voice of the Tribal Colleges to be heard during consultation processes as they are focused on Tribes and elected Tribal leaders. The inclusion of a TCU President on the NACIE Board not only allows the TCU's to strengthen the deliberations of the board, but also allows the TCU's to be heard during the Federal budget development process," said Dr. Michael Oltrogge, President of Nebraska Indian Community College.

BackgroundThe Department of Education's Tribal advisory group, the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE), advises the Secretaries of Education and Interior on programs serving Tribes and their members. NACIE releases an annual report, but the Department of Education does not have a process for considering NACIE's report when developing its budget request.

Additionally, Department of Education tribal consultation sessions often do not provide the opportunity for TCU leaders to provide direct input.

The National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act would address these challenges by:

• Requiring at least one of NACIE's members be the president of a Tribal College or University
• Requiring the Secretaries of Education and Interior to consider NACIE's annual report when preparing their budgets each year

Text of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act can be found here.

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