Written testimony for Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on Department of Education

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Graduates at Navajo Technical University, a public tribal land-grant university on the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Nation. Photo: Department of Education

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Indianz.Com

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is holding an oversight hearing this afternoon on programs at the Department of Education that serve Native students.

The vast majority of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students attend public schools and institutions funded by the federal government. In written testimony, Indian educators and advocates explain how dismantling the Department of Education undermines the trust and treaty obligations owed to tribes and their communities.

“Sovereignty is the foundation of effective education in Indian Country,” Jason Dropik, the executive director of the National Indian Education Association, says in his written statement. “From the earliest treaties, the federal government has promised education to Tribal Nations in exchange for land and peace.”

The hearing takes place at 2:30pm Eastern on Wednesday. The witness list and written testimony follow:

Mr. Jason Dropik [PDF: Testimony]
Executive Director
National Indian Education Association
Washington, DC

Ms. Sydna Yellowfish [PDF: Testimony]
Director of Indian Education
Edmond Public Schools
Edmond, Oklahoma

Dr. Rosita Worl [PDF: Testimony]
President
Sealaska Heritage Institute
Juneau, Alaska

Ms. Nicole Russell [PDF: Testimony]
Executive Director
National Association of Federally Impacted Schools
Washington, DC

Ms. Ahniwake Rose [PDF: Testimony]
President and CEO
American Indian Higher Education Consortium
Alexandria, Virginia

A livestream of the hearing will be available on indian.senate.gov. The feed goes online shortly before the start of the hearing.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice

Oversight Hearing entitled “Native American Education – Examining Federal Programs at the U.S. Department of Education” (April 2, 2025)