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Executive Branch

//POLICY AND ADVOCACY

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

AIHEC engages with federal agencies and their policymakers.

On behalf of Tribal Colleges and Universities, AIHEC engages with federal agencies on the implementation of policies directly impacting TCU and student aid programs. By building and maintaining strong relationships with federal agencies, AIHEC ensures the needs of TCUs, American Indian and Alaska Native students, and Tribal communities are a priority for policymakers in the U.S. Executive branch.

Respecting Tribal Sovereignty and Upholding the Federal Government’s Trust and Treaty Obligations

The following documents were created by a coalition of Tribal Organizations in response to Executive Orders and other actions by the Trump Administration.  These letters and press releases are part of an effort to protect Indian Country’s interests and to educate on the Nation-to-Nation relationship Tribal Nations have with the U.S. federal government and the federal trust responsibility they have to these Tribal Nations.

To access a report or documents, please contact Kathy Aplan at kaplan@aihec.org

 

Letters to Congress and or White House

Department of Agriculture

Department of Commerce

Department of Defense

Department of Education

Department of Government Efficiency

Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Homeland

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Department of Interior

Department of Justice

Department of Labor

Department of Treasury

Department of Veterans Affairs

Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Management and Budget

Urgent Action Needed to Address Terminations and Hiring Freezes at SIPI

Urgent Action Needed to Address Terminations and Hiring Freezes at HINU

White House Actions

AIHEC and the Coalition of Tribal Organizations are actively monitoring and reviewing President Trump’s executive orders and other actions. The information below provides a list and links to the numerous orders published by the Trump Administration that impact our nation’s Tribal Colleges and Universities.

General White House memos and Executive Orders

Federal Workforce memos and Executive Orders

Agency Memos and Orders

Department of the Interior

 

CTS DOI Consultation Briefing Paper: EO 1419 Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families

RESOLUTION TO EXEMPT HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY AND SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE FROM ANY REDUCTION IN WORKFORCE OR FEDERAL HIRING FREEZE

AIHEC Warns of Potential Impacts on Tribal Colleges as Executive Order Targets Department of Education Closure

Tribal Organizations Urge Administration to Respect Tribal Sovereignty and Uphold Trust and Treaty Obligations Amid Executive Actions

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium and the National Indian Education Association Call for Exemption in Workforce Reductions at Bureau of Indian Education Operated Tribal Colleges and K-12 Schools

Presidential Executive Orders on Tribal Colleges and Universities and Indian Education

The establishment of executive orders on Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) stands out as one of AIHEC’s most significant successes. The first TCU executive order was issued on October 19, 1996 by President Clinton (EO 13021). Subsequently, Presidents Bush, Obama, and Biden have issued executive orders on American Indian and Alaskan Native education and Tribal Colleges and Universities. These executive orders are powerful directives that Tribal Colleges and Universities need to be supported by all federal government departments and agencies. These executive orders acknowledged Tribal Colleges and Universities as extensions of the federally recognized Tribes that charter them and confirmed the education of American Indians and Alaska Natives as part of a larger national mandate, one that all leaders and policymakers have a responsibility to recognize and fulfill. 

On October 11, 2021, President Biden issued a comprehensive executive order that once again combines the goals of American Indian and Alaska Native education and Tribal Colleges and Universities. AIHEC is working with the Biden administration to ensure TCUs and TCUs students receive “focused attention,” “commitment,” and “investment” from all federal agencies.

Executive Order 14049 – White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities (October 2021, President Joe Biden)  

Previous Executive Orders:

Executive Order 13592 – Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal College and Universities (December 2011, President Barack Obama)

Executive Order 13336 – American Indian and Alaska Native Education (April 2004, President George W. Bush)

Executive Order 13270 – Tribal Colleges and Universities (July 2002, President George W. Bush)

Executive Order 13096 – American Indian and Alaska Native Education (August 1998, President William J. Clinton)

Executive Order 13021 – Tribal Colleges and Universities (October 1996, President William J. Clinton)