Sioux Empire Today

U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson from South Dakota has urged the House Committees on Natural Resources and Education & Workforce to conduct an oversight hearing concerning the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and the current challenges in Indian education. According to Johnson, "Tribal educators and students are desperate for relief," highlighting issues such as deteriorating school facilities with structural problems including leaking roofs, mold, and asbestos.

Cecilia Fire Thunder, President of the Oglala Lakota Nation Education Coalition, supports this call by stating, "It is time to confront the crisis in Indian education with an oversight hearing to ensure equity, safety and opportunity for Indian students."

Ryman Lebeau, Chairman of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, emphasized the need for a comprehensive review: "I respectfully call on both the House Natural Resources Committee and the Education & Workforce Committee to hold oversight hearings to examine the critical challenges faced by tribally-controlled schools under the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). Our schools face unique barriers, from inadequate funding to outdated infrastructure... I thank Congressman Johnson for making this issue a priority."

Johnson has been active in efforts aimed at improving retirement benefits for tribal educators and increasing BIE funding. A recent report by the Department of Interior's Office of Inspector General highlighted systemic mismanagement within BIE and reported a backlog exceeding $1 billion in deferred maintenance. Additionally, BIE Director Tony Dearman estimated that replacing schools considered to be in poor condition would cost approximately $4.5 billion.