"Last week in Los Angeles, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians received special recognition at the 34th Annual California Conference on American Indian Education for our work on Assembly Bill 544, the Native American Languages Credentialing bill. We were also recognized for our work on Assembly Bill 2089, which extended the sunset of the American Indian Education Program.

The conference theme, “Indian Education: Strengthening Our Future by Coming Together,” showcased 34 years of success and growth of American Indian education in California and the impact the American Indian Education Centers have had in American Indian communities.

Made possible by the collaborative efforts of the 27 American Indian Education Centers statewide, the conference was endorsed by the California Department of Education along with many other supporters of American Indian education throughout California.

Tribes attending the conference, like ours, had an opportunity to share traditional and academic teaching and learning through networking with elders, tribal leaders, students and educators.

It was particularly rewarding for us to be recognized by such a distinguished group, whose collective focus on advancing American Indian education is admirable. We are proud that the recognition we received was on behalf of the work we did on AB 544."

Get the Story:
Richard Gomez: Tribe honored for language work (The Solvang Valley News 3/31)

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