Indianz.Com > News > Tohono O’odham Nation hosts Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
Tohono O’odham Nation
From left: Chairman Ned Norris, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Rep. Raúl Grijalva and Bernard Siquieros. Photo courtesy Tohono O’odham Nation.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Congressman Raúl Grijalva Tour Tohono O’odham Community College
Friday, July 16, 2021
Source: Tohono O’odham Nation
tonation-nsn.gov

The following is the text of a July 15, 2021, press release from the Tohono O’odham Nation.

SELLS, Arizona — Today, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and U.S. Congressman Raúl Grijalva met with Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris, Jr. and educators from the Tohono O’odham Community College (TOCC).

Together, they toured the TOCC campus on the Nation and held a roundtable conversation with students. Tohono O’odham Vice Chairwoman Wavalene Saunders, Legislative Council Vice Chairwoman Alberta Ray, Legislative Councilwoman Janice Felix, and Legislative Councilwoman Lucinda Allen also participated in the event

Secretary Cardona’s visit highlights key education provisions of the Biden Administration’s American Families Plan to advance equity for indigenous people. This includes increased federal funding for tribal colleges and universities. The leaders discussed with students and educators about what more can be done to support tribal and community colleges while making them accessible and affordable to all.

Chairman Norris said “It was an honor to welcome Secretary Cardona and Congressman Grijalva to the TOCC campus to learn about its student-centered experience. I also want to acknowledge the TOCC educators and students who took time to meet with these leaders and share their perspectives. TOCC, like other tribal colleges, serves as a vital pathway to higher education for students from the Nation and from all walks of life.

“The Tohono O’odham Nation is committed to working with the Biden Administration to improve funding and resources to strengthen this essential community institution,” Chairman Norris said.

Tohono O’odham Community College is the southernmost tribal college in the United States. It provides quality two-year education enriched with the culture, language, and tradition of the Tohono O’odham Nation. TOCC primarily serves Tohono O’odham tribal citizens, but anyone pursuing a higher education is welcome to attend.

More information can be found at tocc.edu.

20150702 Tohono O'odham Community College
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