A new partnership has been formed with New York State that will help tribal governments have a stronger voice in Indigenous children’s education.
On February 2, 2023, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe(SRMT) announced that Tribal Sub-Chief Agnes Sweets Jacobs and Director of Education Stephanie Cook have been appointed to the New York State Education Department’s(NYSED) inaugural Indigenous Education Commissioner’s Advisory Council.
The first meeting of the Advisory Council took place in Albany, NY, in January 2023, with the goal of providing a forum from which a more comprehensive understanding of Indigenous students’ needs can take place.
As a priority, the Advisory Council will take a closer look at the matter of Native mascots, and the troubling effect it has on native students and their communities.
In November of 2022, the New York State Education Department issued a state-wide memo advising public schools and districts to refrain from using Native American mascots. Moving forward, the Advisory Council will act as judge in determining derogatory mascots and/or imagery.
SRMT Chief Ron LaFrance commented on the appointments of Cook and Jacobs, “for years, we have been raising awareness on the derogatory and harmful manner in which Native mascots are often used by public schools and other entities across the state.” LaFrance added, “I commend Chancellor Young and Commissioner Rosa for establishing the new Commissioner’s Advisory Council and for the role that Sub-Chief Jacobs and Stephanie will have in ensuring that Tribal Nations are included as equal partners in the education of Native students.”
In addition, the Advisory Council will begin laying the foundation for the state certification of Indigenous Culture and Language Studies. In response to this, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Education Division is developing a two-year Mohawk Language Certification Program, to support the NYSED’s goal of having indigenous language teachers across New York State.
“Our children represent our future and representation on the Commissioner’s Advisory Council will help ensure that supportive educational environments will be provided to all Indigenous students across New York State,” said SRMT Chief Michael Conners.
