Urge Support of SB 5709, Native American Opportunity Scholarship Act

 2019 Winter Convention 

Portland Oregon 

RESOLUTION #19 – 02 

“URGE SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 5709, NATIVE AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP ACT” 

PREAMBLE 

We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution: 

WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and 

WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians is a regional organization comprised of American Indians in the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and 

WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians; and WHEREAS, on January 28, 2019 legislation was introduced by Senator John McCoy “…to provide scholarships to encourage Native American Washington residents to earn postsecondary degrees and credentials and remain in the state and their communities to work.;” and 

WHEREAS, the legislation is currently in the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee and passage of SB 5709 will create the Native American Opportunity Scholarship as a step toward increased higher educational achievement in Washington among the diverse tribal citizens in the state; and 

WHEREAS, the program will be overseen by a newly created Native American Opportunity Scholarship Board which will provide oversight of a program administrator who will solicit and fundraise private and tribal funds for the program, which will include a state match that is earned for any and all private and tribal contributions for eligible students; now 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby endorse and support Senate Bill 5709 to establish the Native American Opportunity Scholarship in the State of Washington to help close the higher educational attainment gap for tribal communities and tribal colleges across the state; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI urges tribal leaders to contact and write letters of support to the Washington State Legislature to vote in favor of passage of Senate Bill 5709 in the 2019 Legislative Session. 

CERTIFICATION 

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present. 

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