1988-03-30 Char-Koosta News

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Chief Charlo of the Salish VOLUME 16, NUMBER 45
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of the Jiathead Indian Reservation
THE MONTH OF THE GEESE
Chief Koostatah of the Kootenai MARCH 30, 1988
Indian education conference enjoyed by hundreds in Kalispell
Approximately four hundred Indian educators from Montana gathered for the annual Montana Indian Education Association convention held March 21-23 at Cavanaugh's Inn in Kalispell. This year's theme was: "Promoting Excellence in Indian Education."
Administrators, teachers, counselors, cultural leaders, students and interested people from Indian Country attended the three days of workshops,
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guest speakers and current education issues forums. This year's convention was coordinated by 1987 MIEA board members Rhonda Lankford and Ivan Small.
The dominant concern throughout the convention was the recent court mandate to overhaul the Montana school funding system. Indian educa-. tors fear the mandate is a threat to "874" funds which are distributed to schools according to the number of Native American students. The funds are in lieu of taxes for federal and trust lands under Public Law 874 (which will be covered more thoroughly in the next issue).
The MIEA convention was also host to gubernatorial candidates who were invited to sit on a panel and field questions from the audience. Five
Democrats were present: Frank Morrison, Ted Neumann, Curley Thorton, Mike Greely and Tom Judge. Dr. Robert Swan of Rocky Boy stated, "It's significant that only Democrats showed up at this Indian education conference."
Candidates spoke in support of protecting 874 funds and fostering cultural integrity in schools. The big applause-getter was Tom Judge's statement: "It's time for the Indian community to be represented by a board of regents." He went on to point out that "the role of Native Americans in the political scene has grown and matured." Mike Greeley said, "That's not enough, though. You have to get more involved in the local government, and the legislature has to recognize sovereignty of tribes."
Some of the workshops offered (Continues on page tour)
Quarterly is this Friday in Pablo
The second quarterly Council meeting for 1988 is set for Friday, April 1, at Tribal headquarters in Pablo, beginning around 9 a.m.
Quarterly meetings differ from regular Council meetings in that they don't have a formal agenda. Topics for discussion are suggested by the audience.
The public is invited to attend.
As always, the meeting will include a noon meal.
Questions? Call 675-2700.