A Native American family dances together at a powwow at the NIEA conference. Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom.

WIN-HEC, NIEA conferences spotlight Native education

By Ka Wai Ola Staff

More than 3,000 Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian teachers and scholars gathered in October at the Hawai'i Convention Center to discuss ways to increase educational opportunities for students from indigenous backgrounds.

The participants in the 38th annual convention of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) tackled a range of issues, including classroom revival of indigenous language, reforming No Child Left Behind Federal policies and the need to train more teachers in cultural sensitivity. Attendees also addressed the complex factors in the relationship between indigenous cultural identity, economic poverty and poor educational outcomes. Several workshops highlighted programs that aim to improve low test scores and high drop-out rates, which plague schools with mainly native populations.

The White Cloud Dancers made a rare appearance outside of their home reservation at the NIEA powwow. Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom.

Speaking at the conference, OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona underscored the need for culture-based education as “critical in restoring native cultural identity, academic success and healthy communities and nations.” Apoliona also added that many Native Hawaiian educators have made strides in raising the bar for Kanaka Maoli students. In praising the efforts of Hawaiian charter schools and the islandwide cultural enrichment programs of Nā Pua No'eau, she cited research showing that children who are educated in these settings will likely be better equipped to “contribute to the State of Hawai'i and the Hawaiian nation.”

OHA Trustee Chair Haunani Apoliona chants Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino before addressing the NIEA delegates. Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom.

With an eye toward solving inequities in native education, Apoliona urged the audience to beware of ideological movements that seek to dismantle native entitlements under the guise of delivering homogenized or multi-racial education. “The time is now for aboriginal, indigenous natives of this land to unify for our collective survival and for the reconciliation of the needs of all native people,” Apoliona said.

Dr.VerlieAnn Malina-Wright, president of the NIEA and a Native Hawaiian, was honored by a coalition of Northwest (Oregon) tribes during the powwow at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom.

The commonalities of indigenous people were openly celebrated at the NIEA convention. The weeklong event, which was sponsored with funding from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Kamehameha Schools, began with Hawaiian and Navajo blessings and oli. Representatives of dozens of Indian tribes put on a powwow – the first event of this type to be held inside the convention center.

Kahu Kamuela Chun chants Oli Komo at the entrance to Mauna Ala, joined by WINHEC coordinator Dr. Claire Pruett, (left) of Chaimnade University, event coordinator Bob Worthington, (right) and CUH Hawaiian Civic Club members bearing ho'okupu. Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom.

WINHEC Conference

The NIEA was the second major indigenous education conference that OHA helped to stagewithin a single week. A few days prior, Chaminade University convened more than 200 college tribal presidents and Native Hawaiian education experts for an annual meeting of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC). OHA Education Hale Director Hau'oli Akaka and OHA Education Hale Advocate Peter Hanohano participated in planning the Chaminade conference.

Hanohano said there was “chicken skin” connectivity from the moment WINHEC opened with a gathering at Mauna 'Ala where Native Hawaiian educators welcomed their indigenous counterparts from around the Pacific and the U.S. continent with a special oli.
“You could feel that people (at WINHEC) shared the idea that a deep sense of spirituality belongs in education, but is often missing in schools,” said Hanohano.

OHA's Education Hale put in many hours to facilitate the week of indigenous education events. But the work was well worth it, Hanohano said, adding: “For one week, Hawai'i was enriched by the presence of so many indigenous educators and scholars coming together to share and learn from one another.”

For more information on either of the conferences that came and went during October, go to the OHA website or check out the websites of the various indigenous education organizations: www.win-hec.org or www.niea.org.

Click here | here | here for a gallery of photos from the events.