Last week, in conjunction with President Obama’s third White House Tribal Nations Conference, the President announced his signing of an executive order designed to advance educational opportunities for Native people. The order, entitled “Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Education Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities,” details specific objectives to be met, including the bolstering of Native languages through support of language immersion programs for youth.
The executive order is to be enacted through the establishment of the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, which will be funded by the Department of Education, and supported by a coalition of federal agencies.
The wording of the executive order is not as strong a similar order drafted by Native leaders that would have focused specifically on language revitalization. However, educators are hopeful that the initiative, which calls for measures to encourage increased funding of language and culture programs from both the public and private sector, will indeed result in greater funding opportunities and the promotion of Native languages.
To view the executive order in its entirety click here.
