Murkowski to Chair Education Hearing at 2012 AFN Convention

The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) announces today that U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski will chair a U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee field hearing on Alaska Native education during the 2012 AFN Annual Convention.

Witnesses, invited by Senator Murkowski to testify on new culturally-relevant approaches to educating Alaska Native children, include:

  • Rosita Worl, President, Sealaska Heritage Institute
  • Chris Simon, Rural Education Coordinator, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
  • Peggy Cowan, Superintendent, North Slope Borough School District
  • Sonta Hamilton Roach, Teacher, Innoko River School (Shageluk, AK)
  • Doreen Brown, Supervisor of Title VII Indian Education, Anchorage School District
  • Carl Rose, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School Board

“[W]e need to acknowledge that there are teachers, communities, Native organizations and school boards accomplishing great things right now by thinking outside of the box,” said Senator Murkowski.

The hearing will feature discussions on increased cooperation between Alaska public schools and Native organizations, school board changes on district levels and the uniquely Alaska Native curriculum implemented in North Slope Borough School District (NSBD) schools by the NSBSD.

The official title of the hearing is “BEST—Building Educational Success Together.” Interested members of the public may attend in person Friday, October 19 at 4:00PM in The K’enakatnu (Knik) Executive Boardroom of the Dena’ina Convention Center, or participate via the Internet at www.Murkowski.Senate.Gov.