"Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., also a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, plans to unveil a legislative proposal on Saturday that will strengthen health care initiatives at the 31 tribal colleges across the country.
“I will be introducing a long-sought, important bill to create a program for tribal colleges to promote health-related education and train American Indians to join the health-related work force,” said Tester in a pre-released speech that he planned to give during Saturday graduation ceremonies at the Salish Kootenai College on the Flathead Reservation.
His proposal is the result of a tribal college summit held at the Blackfeet Community College on the Blackfeet Reservation on April 5. Leaders from all Montana nations and tribal colleges attended to brainstorm about how to improve tribal college education in Montana and tribal colleges around the nation.
Tester is calling his legislation THE PATH, which will include grant funds for nursing programs, community wellness and health clinics and education and outreach programs on key health issues plaguing Indian Country like diabetes, youth at risk and substance abuse."
Get the Story:Jodi Rave: Tester plans health care initiative for tribal colleges (The Missoulian 6/2) Relevant Links:
American Indian College Fund - http://collegefund.org
American Indian Higher Education Consortium - http://www.aihec.org
Tribal Colleges and Universities - http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/whtc/edlite-index.html Related Stories:
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UTTC's small business program graduates 13 this year (5/3)
Two tribal colleges left behind by President Bush (04/16)
Senate committee hearing on tribal colleges (4/12)
Menominee Nation College brings hope to tribe (4/9)
Jodi Rave: Tribal colleges press for federal funds (4/6)
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North Dakota tribal colleges discuss funding bill (3/6)
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Editorial: Tribal colleges deserve state funds (2/8)
Editorial: Tribal colleges deserve state funds (2/8)
North Dakota tribal college bill moving forward (2/6)
North Dakota tribal college funding bill endorsed (2/2)
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Editorial: Tribal colleges deserve state funds (1/23)
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Oglala Lakota College receives $100K from state (12/19)
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Bush announces new members of tribal college board (12/4)
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American Indian College Fund runs ad campaign (10/05)
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New director for White House Tribal College Initiative (01/20)
Tribal budget advisory council backs tribal colleges (03/01)
Bush budget seeks cuts to Indian education programs (02/10)
Bush administration budget slashes BIA programs (02/08)
Nation's tribal colleges struggle to make ends meet (02/07)
Johnson expects tough times for Indian initiatives (01/18)
Congress restores Bush's cuts to Indian programs (11/22)
Tribal colleges awarded millions in federal grants (08/06)
Tribal college board seeking boosts in funding (9/25)
