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Government clarifies exemption of native history in DEI initiatives

Government clarifies exemption of native history from diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts - Hawaii News from West Hawaii Today

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Government stance on DEI in native history education clarified: DOE clarifies exemption for native...
Government stance on DEI in native history education clarified: DOE clarifies exemption for native history from DEI initiatives – Hawaii News, West Hawaii Today

Government clarifies exemption of native history in DEI initiatives

Rewritten Article:

In a recent move, the U.S. Department of Education has made it clear that Native Hawaiian, American Indian, and Alaska Native history won't be tossed into the bucket of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or "critical race theory" controversies under its new directive for American schools.

Here's the lowdown: Hayley B. Sanon, the acting assistant secretary of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, sent a letter on April 25, stating that the federal government views Native history as a unique subject with a separate political and legal status. This news means it won't be bundled with broader restrictions on "discriminatory equity ideology," a term coined in the January 28 executive order titled "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling."

The letter was addressed to the National Indian Education Association, which had previously voiced concerns that the Trump administration might interfere with local and tribal authority over curriculum. This fear stemmed from the potential repercussions of the new executive order, which forbids the use of federal education funds to back content President Trump deems "discriminatory equity ideology."

The NIEA had urged the Trump administration to ensure that new federal efforts respect their authority. They highlighted the importance of including tribal representatives in task forces and emphasized the bipartisan support for teaching Native history across the nation.

Jason Dropik, NIEA's Executive Director, emphasized that granting tribal nations a seat at the table is crucial, considering nearly 650,000 American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students attend public schools nationwide. Thirteen states already require the teaching of tribal nations' histories in their schools, and advocates argue that this is not a partisan issue but a constitutional and cultural one.

While this federal response brings some relief to tribal education leaders, Native Hawaiian educators remain on edge. This guarded optimism stems from the Department's awareness of the need to reduce bureaucratic red tape while prioritizing parental rights, language often associated with recent efforts to limit "diversity, equity, and inclusion" and culturally responsive education.

Optimism, however, persists. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, believes the stance taken by the U.S. DOE is the result of continuous advocacy from Native-serving organizations and lawmakers representing Indigenous communities. Similarly, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, has been actively championing Native Hawaiian communities during policy shifts by the Trump administration. Both representatives are working tirelessly to ensure that Native history and programs remain exempt from disputed categories like "diversity, equity, and inclusion" and "critical race theory," thus ensuring continued support and upholding federal obligations to Native communities.

Yet, cautions remain. These safeguards are not guaranteed, as each federal agency has some discretion on how to interpret and implement executive orders. Moreover, the DOE's position might change over time, and these programs continue to face budgetary challenges. As Case puts it, efforts to protect critical Native Hawaiian endeavors will require diligent work from both the administration and Congress.

  1. The U.S. Department of Education has outlined that Native Hawaiian, American Indian, and Alaska Native history will not be associated with controversial topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion or critical race theory in American schools.
  2. The hopes of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) have been partially met, as the federal government recognizes Native history as a unique subject with its own political and legal status.
  3. The NIEA has advocated for including tribal representatives in task forces and emphasized the constitutional and cultural importance of teaching Native history, citing bipartisan support for this endeavor.
  4. Nearly 650,000 American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students attend public schools nationwide, making it essential to ensure that their history is accurately represented in education and self-development.
  5. Career development and policy and legislation surrounding Native history are being closely monitored by representatives such as U.S. Rep. Ed Case and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, who are working to ensure Native history and programs remain exempt from disputed categories.
  6. While this federal response provides some relief, Native Hawaiian educators remain cautious due to ongoing debates about reducing bureaucratic red tape and respecting parental rights, which some interpret as an attempt to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion and culturally responsive education.
  7. General news and learning resources will continue to follow the developments in policy and legislation surrounding Native history, as efforts to protect Native communities and their education require diligent work from both the administration and Congress.

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