SANTA FE — Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley and Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty made a passionate call for adequate funding, through a student count based formula, for Navajo students during the New Mexico Government to Government Indian Education Summit on Oct. 16.
The summit, held annually to discuss key issues affecting Indigenous education, provides a critical platform for New Mexico tribes to highlight the pressing educational needs of Native American students across the state.
During the summit, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham requested input and recommendations from tribal leaders, regarding the educational funding distribution formula, literacy efforts, special education, the state’s Indian Education Act, and other critical education issues.
Curley took a strong stance in support of distributing the state funding based on student count, which would provide more funding for each Navajo student in the state. State officials noted that there are over 26,000 Navajo students in the state, compared to over 10,000 for all other tribes combined.
“The Navajo Nation has many students across New Mexico and the funding formula should reflect that,” Curley said. “A student count funded formula is critical to providing Navajo students with the resources they need to effectively excel in school. This helps create equity in funding by addressing the unique needs based on student enrollment. Our precious children already face many challenges in many ways. We will continue to work with the state to ensure our students have more resources.”
During last year’s state legislative session, the legislature considered a bill that sought to create an Indian Education Trust Fund to help fulfill the state’s obligations to Navajo students.
“The future of our children depends on the investments we make in their education today,” Crotty said. “Our Navajo students deserve the same opportunities and resources as every other student in New Mexico. It’s time we come together to ensure that every Navajo child can succeed.”
Crotty also requested consultation between the Navajo Nation and the state’s Public Education Department to review the annual state accountability plan, Every Student Succeeds Act, which helps the Navajo Nation determine priorities at the state level to ensure the proper advocacy is addressed with Navajo student representation.
Staff Reports
