Urge Support of the First Nations Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program

Res #:	Committee:	Submitted by:	Title:                                 Pass →	Yes	No	Amended/Tabled	To NCAI
2020-05	Education	Patricia Whitefoot	Urge Support of the First Nations Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program

 2020 Winter Convention 

Portland, Oregon 

RESOLUTION #2020 – 05 

“URGE SUPPORT OF THE FIRST NATIONS MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM” 

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, the Washington State Legislature is reviewing budget provisions, which includes funds that support the First Nations Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program; and 

WHEREAS, the First Nations MESA program provides essential basic education at the local level for Native students primarily at the middle school and high school level; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby endorse and support the First Nations MESA Program budget provision of $135,000 to continue providing equitable access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education for Native American students; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI acknowledges the engagement of tribal leaders and stakeholders in providing oral testimony or letters of support to the Washington State Legislature stating support for the First Nations MESA Program’s budget provision. 

CERTIFICATION 

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2020 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 27-30, 2020, with a quorum present. 

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