Post by blackcrowheart on Mar 30, 2007 8:40:37 GMT -5
Critic questions district's Indian education policies
By Andrea J. Cook, Journal staff
RAPID CITY — An elder in Rapid City's American Indian
community objected to changes the Rapid City School District has made in
the Office of Indian Education during a parent advisory council meeting
Tuesday at Central High School. "I'm really upset about some of
the things that are going on in this community for Indian children,"
Mary Wright said. Wright helped start the Indian education programs in
Rapid City.
Wright is a supporter of Art Zimiga, who retires at the end of the
school year as the district's director of the Office of Indian
Education after five years.
After Zimiga announced his retirement last summer, the district hired
Red Stone, a consulting group, to handle the daily operation of Indian
education. Red Stone consultants John Haas, an enrolled member of the
Oglala Sioux Tribe, and Mitchell Stone have an office in the City/School
Administration Center.
Zimiga moved to a new office at National American University in Rapid
City.
When the change was made, superintendent of schools Peter Wharton said
it would free Zimiga to pursue grants and other funding for the office
of Indian Education. Zimiga also serves on state and national Indian
education advisory committees.
Wright emphasized to parents and others attending the advisory council
meeting that Zimiga is the director of Indian education.
"Some white guy sitting there is doing the talking for Indian
Education, and I don't think that's quite right," Mary
Wright said. "I think that the Indians need to do this by
themselves."
Wright also objected to comments she claimed that Wharton made at a
recent meeting that the district is "working to take your kids off
the streets."
"I'm really upset about that," she said. Wright said she
intends to contact more Indian families in Rapid City to tell them about
her concerns.
"It's not all nice-nice," Wright said.
Wharton was at Tuesday's meeting and said Wright took his comments
out of context after he attempted to explain the success new alternative
programs are having in getting more students of all backgrounds back in
school.
"We had a conversation, and what I indicated was, we had kids back
in class," he said.
Wharton went on to say that Zimiga's position has not been
advertised because the district is going through restructuring.
Zimiga is welcome to apply for a new position if he wants to, Wharton
said.
Wright's comments come at a time when there is a resurgence of
interest by Indian parents in Indian education, according to Mona
Bettelyoun, president of the parent advisory committee.
"These are parents who are not "hung up on the same thing year
after year," Bettelyoun said.
Wright, who arrived late with Zimiga, also targeted Bettelyoun for
failing to recognize her and Zimiga during introductions.
"I think some people have their own agendas," Bettelyoun said.
"It's too bad we can't all work cooperatively for the same
thing, including our Native American drop-out rate."
By Andrea J. Cook, Journal staff
RAPID CITY — An elder in Rapid City's American Indian
community objected to changes the Rapid City School District has made in
the Office of Indian Education during a parent advisory council meeting
Tuesday at Central High School. "I'm really upset about some of
the things that are going on in this community for Indian children,"
Mary Wright said. Wright helped start the Indian education programs in
Rapid City.
Wright is a supporter of Art Zimiga, who retires at the end of the
school year as the district's director of the Office of Indian
Education after five years.
After Zimiga announced his retirement last summer, the district hired
Red Stone, a consulting group, to handle the daily operation of Indian
education. Red Stone consultants John Haas, an enrolled member of the
Oglala Sioux Tribe, and Mitchell Stone have an office in the City/School
Administration Center.
Zimiga moved to a new office at National American University in Rapid
City.
When the change was made, superintendent of schools Peter Wharton said
it would free Zimiga to pursue grants and other funding for the office
of Indian Education. Zimiga also serves on state and national Indian
education advisory committees.
Wright emphasized to parents and others attending the advisory council
meeting that Zimiga is the director of Indian education.
"Some white guy sitting there is doing the talking for Indian
Education, and I don't think that's quite right," Mary
Wright said. "I think that the Indians need to do this by
themselves."
Wright also objected to comments she claimed that Wharton made at a
recent meeting that the district is "working to take your kids off
the streets."
"I'm really upset about that," she said. Wright said she
intends to contact more Indian families in Rapid City to tell them about
her concerns.
"It's not all nice-nice," Wright said.
Wharton was at Tuesday's meeting and said Wright took his comments
out of context after he attempted to explain the success new alternative
programs are having in getting more students of all backgrounds back in
school.
"We had a conversation, and what I indicated was, we had kids back
in class," he said.
Wharton went on to say that Zimiga's position has not been
advertised because the district is going through restructuring.
Zimiga is welcome to apply for a new position if he wants to, Wharton
said.
Wright's comments come at a time when there is a resurgence of
interest by Indian parents in Indian education, according to Mona
Bettelyoun, president of the parent advisory committee.
"These are parents who are not "hung up on the same thing year
after year," Bettelyoun said.
Wright, who arrived late with Zimiga, also targeted Bettelyoun for
failing to recognize her and Zimiga during introductions.
"I think some people have their own agendas," Bettelyoun said.
"It's too bad we can't all work cooperatively for the same
thing, including our Native American drop-out rate."