NIEA Statement on the Esther Martinez Native Languages Preservation Act (S.254)
For Immediate Release Contact: Leah Salgado
Washington, DC:
The National Indian Education Association (NIEA)'s President, Dr. Jolene Bowman issued the following statement on the Passage by the full Senate of the Esther Martinez Native Languages Preservation Act (S. 254):
"Native language preservation is an indispensable part of advancing Native education. NIEA's 48 years of experience and research shows that Native students do better in all academic subjects when learning their own language. The Senate passing the Esther Martinez Native Languages Preservation Act yesterday is a significant victory in NIEA's ongoing work in support of the critical connections that we know are necessary for Native students."
NIEA looks forward to consideration of this legislation in the House, and its passage into law. We are pleased to see the strong support for this legislation in the House, with 27 cosponsors from both parties. This support, along with the Senate's bipartisan group of cosponsors, reflects NIEA's longstanding commitment to Native language preservation and our focus this Congress on passing this important legislation.
About The National Indian Education Association (NIEA):
NIEA is the Nation's most inclusive advocacy organization advancing comprehensive culture-based educational opportunities for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Formed by Native educators in 1969 to encourage a national discourse on education, NIEA adheres to the organization's founding principles- to convene educators to explore ways to improve schools and the educational systems serving Native children; to promote the maintenance and continued development of language and cultural programs; and to develop and implement strategies for influencing local, state, and federal policy and decision makers. For more information visit www.niea.org.
