A button celebrating National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week. Photo by American Indian Higher Education Consortium / Twitter

The Senate unanimous passed a resolution to designate National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.

S.Res.355 was introduced by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) last Monday. The bipartisan measure has 20 co-sponsors, Democrats and Republicans.

"Too often, bright young talent in our Native communities is stifled by a lack of opportunity, but tribal colleges and universities across the nation have a mission to change that,” said Heitkamp, who sits on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium is meeting in Washington, D.C., this week. Photo from Twitter

The recognition comes as the American Indian Higher Education Consortium holds its winter meeting in Washington, D.C., this week. Nearly 150 leaders, faculty, staff and students are in the nation's capitol to advocate for the needs of the 37 tribal colleges and universities across the nation.

“Tribal colleges and universities represent a vital part of Indian Country,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “These schools offer native students an opportunity to get their education and contribute to stronger economies, tribal leadership, and communities."

The AIHEC meeting runs through Thursday.

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