NationalAssociation for Bilingual Education
Special Interest Group
American Indian/Alaska Native

1999 Annual Business Meeting

Introductions of Participants
Review of last year's meeting -
Instead of 1 chair - the group elected a council of 7

review of SIG responsibilities
Articles to NABE News
Assist in selection of NABE conference workshops
Annual Mtg -
At least 1 SIG sponsored event at conference
Annual goals and activities
report to NABE of activities

NABE responsibilities to the SIG
labels and events
At SIG busness mtg - NABE reported that none of the SIGs fulfilledall of these responsibilities

At that meeting Leon stress that we need to have greater representation- because we have so many distinct language groups representedin our communities.
NABE responded that we must take the greater responsibility innetworkiing and involving our Native Ammercan groups in this process- That is, if we are noisy we will be heard. When we become moreorganized we will have the opportunity to have that voice.

One of NABE's goals this year is to get member on a server sothat communication can be increased- this will be an opportunityfor us to be more easily involved and informed - two ways we canincrease our inpact to those who connect on our issues and concerns.

Roy : stressed that we all submit proposals to NABE by the deadline(they are very strict on the deadline) We need to have someonecoordinate the Native American Institute.. Thanks to G. Brown- we need to have someone formally in charge of encouraginf submissionand reviews to insure representation and quality.

G. Brown comments that the idea of "minority" needsto be encouraged to the rethought into Indigenous Language group.,,)

Discussion: This SIG's name is fairly recent - prior to last yearwe had another name that was less specific to our issues - ifwe change, Roy thinks that NABE would need justification
pt. - with the attacts on "Bilingual" education thischange would emphasize and make the point that we are differentthan - just Bilingual. Justification will include that our relativesaccross the borders .. ie. Indigenous speakers who live in spanishspeaking countries

new Topic - speakers for Institute - on Friday - we are possibilityof missing two speakers -
Gerry offered to repeat a session in case Michelle is not ableto present - Janice's is covered -

Elections :
discussion _ how many - restructure?? - replace missing seats..take nominations with those going to Tx next year .. keep oldcouncil and fill in -- suggested for continuity - 2yr seats..bringing new blood only every two years.. Motion to do that 2ndand 3rd. .. keep old here and add new.. discussion of how manyshould there be .. & what kinds of representation - geographicand generational etc. Concern : funding for council members attendif no longer with an organization that would fund them.

Floor opened to nominations for council members -

Gerry nominate Carlos Aceves - Tx. 2nd Lucille passed -
Lucille Nom. Shari Williams - 2nd J. Brown

Jerry nom. Dr. Frank Rowland 2nd - Sharon.
Terry W. Nom. Sharon Peregoy 2nd - Joanie Rowland

motion to close nominations & election
Jerry moved to elect the "slate" by acclamation -

Discussion continued on funding for council members

Adenda item - nominations of someone from our SIG to run for NABEboard
Jerry moved nominate Leon Rattler - 2nd Roy -

Clarification - nominations for the NABE board must come froma State affiliate President - and 2nd from within - Nora Birdwill nominate Leon and 2nd will be from Cris of Alaska -

Recruiting - Native people from communities to join NABE so thatthey can be voting members-

Recap of our goals --

recruiting - orgainzed - contact peers in other states-
inform other Native organizagtions - tribal councils - corporationsetc.. so they might help us recruit..

Inform & educate bilingual commuities of historical and currentissues and concerns - increase awareness of our diversity --

NABE is not consulting with the SIG on issues related to the specialinterests of the group. We need to be able to give input to NABEas they consult on the reauthorization of Title VII.

Chair: Leon Rattler. Secretary: Chris Hill. Vice Chair: CarlosAceves.

Chris and Leon attended the NABE Chair meeting last night.

Newsletter, e-mail: Roy Howard

Name change: research the procedure

Resolution: The SIG Council met at 3:30 to form resolutions tosubmit to NABE. | go toResolutions