Indian education conference organizers expect about 300

More than 300 participants are expected at the annual Montana Wyoming Indian Education Association Conference next weekend at the
Great Falls Heritage Inn.

By PETER JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Writer

The 20th MWIEA conference, scheduled for April 6-8, will center on the theme, "Indian Education for All." Speakers and workshops will
highlight what is happening in Montana’s schools and colleges to help educate all Montanans about Indian history, culture and
contemporary issues, said conference chairman Thomas Brown.

At the opening reception Saturday evening, Mavis Scott and Diana Leuppe Big Horn will be honored. The two women attended Montana’s
1972 Constitutional Convention and gave testimony asking for the right to learn about their culture and history.

Their testimony helped persuade the ConCon delegates to write a section of the new constitution saying "the state recognizes the distinct
and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural
integrity."

The public is encouraged to take part in a public hearing at the convention Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. At that hearing, speakers will
report how well Montana schools are doing carrying out a law approved by the 2001 Legislature to implement that constitutional provision.

"It spells out that all Montana students, not just Indians, should be able to learn about the American Indian," said Norma Bixby, tribal
education director for the Northern Cheyenne tribe.

"We want to know what is happening, or perhaps not happening, in our schools and colleges to implement this law," said Carol Juneau of
Browning, MWIEA chairwoman and a state representative.

Joyce Silverthorne, the group’s 2001 educator of the year and a member of the Montana Board of Public Education, will deliver a keynote
talk Sunday morning. Superintendent of Public Instruction Linda McCulloch will address the group on Monday.

Among the key topics expected to be discussed, Bixby said, are changes such as the 5 percent cap on administrative costs for the Title
IX Indian Education Programs, plans to privatize Bureau of Indian Affairs schools and educational requirements for teacher aides.

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