NIEA Urges Justice in Racial Attack on Indigenous Peoples Marchers in Reno

Statement of the National Indian Education Association, after the driver of a truck plows through Indigenous Peoples Marchers in Reno. Reno Police charged the victims and only charged the driver with a misdemeanor. One grandmother is hospitalized with a fractured pelvis.

On behalf of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) the largest and oldest

organization advocating for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian

students, schools and communities, we write to express our deep concern and

outrage at the recent assault and hate crime that was committed against the Reno

Sparks Indian Colony, Nevada Tribes, and the community who were engaged in a

peaceful rally and march to protest Columbus Day and calling for the city and state to

replace this federal holiday to honor Indigenous People's Day. NIEA has long

supported Indigenous People's Day, having passed a resolution just last year as an

appropriate way to name what is now known as Columbus Day. We are particularly

concerned that our tribal and urban Indian communities continue to experience a

legacy of historical trauma from the generations of federal policies meant to

dispossess and terminate our very existence.

On October 5-8, NIEA recently held our 47th Annual Convention in Reno. Five years

ago our membership chose Reno as the host site to bring over 1,200 Native educators,

tribal government officials, students, school leaders and organizations together to

collectively support education resources, equity, and options for Native students.

This gathering was co-sponsored by the Reno Sparks Indian Colony, the 18 federally

recognized reservations and colonies in Nevada, and the Reno Convention and

Planning Bureau and convened at the Sierra Grand Resort and Hotel/Convention

Center. The Convention was an incredible gathering of love, sharing best practices,

networking, and cultural sharing. We also know that Native students face some of

the most difficult circumstances that often affect graduation rates and life outcomes.

Research has shown Native students who are valued and respected in their cultural

and historical identity experience greater levels of success and options. We also know

that every student and family has a right to express and advocate for themselves and

their community.

Numerous videos and testimony shared across social media clearly shows the truck

driving into the peaceful protester on Indigenous People's Day was an unprovoked

and pre-mediated attack on our community, relatives and those attending the rally.

We demand that urgent action is taken to ensure justice is provided for those

members who were injured and traumatized by this horrific and intentional attack:

investigating this race-based violence and denial of rights perpetrated upon the

protestors is the right first and immediate step. NIEA has also begun the process of

contacting our allies to ensure this will not happen again.

In the spirit of healing and reconciliation we support the local Native community in

urging that the city take the following steps:

1. Work in true proactive healing with the Reno Sparks Indian Colony, all tribes in

Nevada and indigenous students attending public schools and institutions of

higher learning;

2. Collaborate with tribal leaders, educators, and cultural leaders to develop and

implement a culturally relevant and responsive curriculum;

3. Set a clear pathway to train, hire and retain more Native teachers and professors;

4. Ensure Native voices are at the table in all civic and social events to educate

Nevadans on the incredible accomplishments and history of the tribes in

Nevada; and

5. Work to change Columbus Day to recognize and honor Indigenous People

Day.

We encourage Indian Country and Native communities across our nation to

continue their work to support the education, health and welfare of all our Native

children, families, people, lands and natural resources.

About The National Indian Education Association (NIEA)

NIEA is the Nation's most inclusive advocacy organization advancing comprehensive culture-based

educational opportunities for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Formed by

Native educators in 1969 to encourage a national discourse on education, NIEA adheres to the

organization's founding principles- to convene educators to explore ways to improve schools and the

educational systems serving Native children; to promote the maintenance and continued development of

language and cultural programs; and to develop and implement strategies for influencing local, state,

and federal policy and decision makers. For more information visit www.niea.org

http://www.niea.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NIEA-Statement-on-Reno-Incident.pdf