The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing this morning on Indian school safety.

The committee heard from Asssitant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk, Acting Inspector General Mary Kendall, Quinton Roman Nose of the National Indian Education Association and Superintendent Anthony Fairbanks of the Pueblo of Laguna Department of Education.

Members expressed concerns about cuts in the Bureau of Indian Affairs facilities repair budget. They also cited numerous OIG reports about unsafe conditions at Bureau of Indian Education schools.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the chairman of the committee, said he will ask the Government Accountability Office to look into school safety issues. "We are failing to meet our obligations" to Indian children, he said.

Keith Moore, the newly hired director of the BIE, was not at the hearing. He will start work on June 1, Echo Hawk said.

Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING: Does Indian School Safety Get a Passing Grade? (May 13, 2010)

OIG Report:
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education: Schools in Need of Immediate Action (May 2007)

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Witness List: Senate Indian Affairs hearing on school safety (5/12)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on school safety (5/6)
EchoHawk admits 'no way' to clear BIA school backlog (2/26)
Report warns of serious dangers at BIA schools (7/17)