Continuing the Progress with Tribal Communities
Posted by Jodi Gillette on March 06, 2014 at 04:50 PM EST

Today, we are releasing the synopsis from the 2013 Tribal Nations Conference and the 2013 White House Tribal Nations Conference Progress Report. The 2013 Conference marked the fifth consecutive year that President Obama hosted a gathering of federally recognized tribal leaders and officials from across the Administration.  At the Conference, tribal leaders directly engaged with the recently established White House Council on Native American Affairs and discussed key issues facing Indian Country. During his remarks to tribal leaders, President Obama emphasized the need to keep our bond of peace and friendship, our covenant chain with tribes strong not only for this generation but for future generations.  
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'Fish Wars' bill approved, heads to Inslee
It applies to records of Indians arrested while fishing prior to 1975
By Lisa Baumann, Associated Press
Published: March 5, 2014, 8:18 PM

OLYMPIA — American Indian tribal members arrested while exercising their treaty fishing rights before 1975 would get the chance to clear their criminal records under a bill headed to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk.
House Bill 2080 passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday. It passed the House in February.
The measure would allow tribal members to apply to the sentencing court to expunge their related misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony convictions. Family members and tribal officials also could seek a vacated criminal record on behalf of a deceased person. The court would have the discretion to vacate the conviction, unless certain conditions apply, such as if the person was convicted for a violent crime or crime against a person.
Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, said the bill corrects a mistake.
"It's the closest this branch of government can come to an apology," he said.
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New Questions for an Old Problem in Indian Education
Jerad Koepp and Jason Medina - 3/3/14

In education, blame follows close on the heels of trouble. When people find out we are Indian educators, we are routinely asked to list how public schools are failing our students. We encourage the curious to look up the1928 Meriam Report, the1969 Kennedy Report, Alonzo Spang’s “Eight Problems In Indian Education,” and their individual district’s report card on Native American student achievement and graduation rates. Lay them out on the dinner table and soak in the realization that we have the same hundred year old problems. Our challenges are old—instead let’s start asking why they persist.
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College Board Announces Big Changes for Students Taking the SAT
By SUSANNA KIM | Good Morning America – Wed, Mar 5, 2014 9:33 PM EST

The College Board announced today the biggest changes to the SAT college admissions test since 2005.
Along with the updates to the test, the nonprofit organization, which also organizes the Advanced Placement Program in schools, said it is offering free SAT prep through the online educational program Khan Academy.
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