SAULT STE. MARIE — The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians is warning that the potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education could have far-reaching impacts for Native American communities.
Austin Lowes, chairman for the Sault Tribe, released a statement detailing his concerns about President Donald Trump’s executive order from March 20 directing the Secretary of Education to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”
The headquarters of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan is shown.
The executive order aligns with the Trump Administration’s plans to return education authority back to the state level and increase governmental efficiency. The dismantling of the Department of Education would still require the approval of Congress.
“The United States government is treaty-bound to provide basic social services, including health and education, that were guaranteed to our people in exchange for giving up our lands,” said Lowes in the statement. “Seeking to make government more efficient is one thing, but the rapid pace of change at the federal level has been happening without regard to how the U.S. government will honor its treaty obligations or how tribal citizens will be impacted.”
According to Lowes, the potential closure of the Department of Education along with other recently announced cuts to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services could have a major negative impact on the Sault Tribe and other tribes throughout the country.
Many tribes rely on federal funding for their regular services, including schools. The Department of Education is responsible for providing $541 million for schools in low income areas in Michigan, helping around 644,000 students. Lowes said the closure of the department would also affect $12 million in funding specifically for children living on military bases or Native American reservations.
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Lowes called for Trump to work alongside tribal leaders to improve education in Native American communities instead of cutting funding.
“President Trump has a unique opportunity to improve and protect education and other services across Indian Country by issuing an executive order that recognizes and respects education and health care as a distinct federal right guaranteed to Native Americans through numerous treaties,” said Lowes.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sault Tribe chair sees risks in possible U.S. Department of Education closure
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