Cherokee, Osage nations receive more than $1.4 million in federal funds for education support
By MIKE AVERILL Tulsa World Staff Writer | Posted: Friday, September 25, 2015 12:00 am
The U.S. Department of Education announced $5.3 million in federal funds to help Native American youth prepare for college and careers.
Area tribes were awarded more than $1.4 million to support their efforts.
The Cherokee Nation Educational Department received $584,009 for the American Indian Resource Center Inc. and an additional $341,053 was awarded to the Cherokee Nation for Grand View School.
The Osage Nation and Otoe-Missouri Tribe were awarded $498,710 for the Osage County Interlocal Cooperative.
The grants are part of the Native Youth Community Projects program
“These grants are an unprecedented investment in Native youth, and a recognition that tribal communities are best positioned to drive solutions and lead change,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a news release. “These grants are a down payment on President Obama’s commitment last summer at his historic trip to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota to create new opportunities for American Indian youth to cultivate the next generation of Native leaders.”
Each grant will support a coordinated, focused approach chosen by a community partnership that includes a tribe, local schools, and other organizations. For example, the program allows tribes to identify culturally appropriate, community specific supports for college and career readiness — whether it’s early learning, language immersion or mental health services.
Mike Averill 918-581-8489