DTLL: BIE Strategic Direction Tribal Consultations

Dear Tribal Leader:

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is developing a five-year Strategic Direction that encompasses the actions the BIE is going to take to fulfill its mission and realize its vision. This 2024-2029 Strategic Direction is scheduled for release in June 2024. Your input is especially valuable to determine which priorities are most critical to strategically move the BIE ahead for the next five years.

To reach a broad audience, the BIE held listening sessions in conjunction with the 54th Annual National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Convention & Trade Show in October 2023 and the 80th Annual National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Convention & Marketplace in November 2023. During and following the listening sessions, feedback was obtained in person, through written comments, and through an online questionnaire. An online questionnaire was also sent to BIE employees for input. This feedback, along with the feedback from the 2018-2023 Strategic Direction was used to develop a draft of the upcoming 2024-2029 Strategic Direction. This draft 2024-2029 Strategic Direction will then be brought to Tribal consultations across the country and virtually for further input and refinement.

From January to March 2024, to ensure widespread and inclusive input, the BIE will host five Tribal consultations with Tribal leaders and other community members on the content of the draft 2024-2029 Strategic Direction to include:

• BIE overarching strategic priorities
• BIE strategies and milestones
• BIE vision
• BIE mission
• BIE core values

The BIE thanks you in advance and looks forward to speaking with you at the Tribal consultations scheduled at the following dates, times, and locations:

• January 24, 2024 | 5:00-7:00 p.m. PT | Chief Leschi Schools, CLS auditorium, 4 Seasons Building, 5625 52nd St E, Puyallup, WA 98371
• January 31, 2024 | 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET | Cherokee Central Schools Auditorium, 150 Ravensford Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719
• February 7, 2024 | 5:00-7:00 p.m. MT | Gila River Resorts & Casinos, Wild Horse Pass, Acacia CD, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226
• Monday, March 4, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (MT) | Navajo Preparatory School, 1220 W Apache St., Farmington, NM 87401
• March 6, 2024 | 5:00-7:00 p.m. CT and 4:00- 6:00 p.m. MT | Rushmore Hotel & Suites, Roosevelt/Lincoln Room, 445 Mt Rushmore Rd., Rapid City, SD 57701
• March 8, 2024 | 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET | Virtual | Register in advance for this meeting:
  https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcO-rrTMvGsho2CeuQf3dhItAkM_HobY

Additional details will also be posted on the BIE website at www.bie.edu/landing-page/consultations-initiatives.

In addition to providing feedback in person at the Tribal consultations, please feel free to submit any written comments via email to consultation@bia.gov or by mail to Dr. Wendy Cooley, 1849 C Street NW, MIB-3610 Washington, DC 20240 by April 7, 2024.

If you have any questions regarding the listening session, please contact Dr. Wendy Cooley at wendy.cooley@bie.edu.

Sincerely,

Tony L. Dearman
Director

cc: Associate Deputy Director, Division of Performance and Accountability
Acting Chief Academic Officer
Associate Deputy Bureau Director, School Operations
Associate Deputy Director – Bureau Operated Schools
Associate Deputy Director – Tribally Controlled Schools
Associate Deputy Director – Navajo Schools

Resources:

BIE Strategic Direction Tribal Consultation Presentation Jan. through March 2024

2024 Tribal Consultation Dear Tribal Leader Letter 

2024 Tribal Consultation and Listening Sessions Dear Tribal Leader Letter to Navajo Nation

Education Partners Strategic Direction Input

BIE Strategic Direction Listening Session - 2023 National Congress of American Indians

BIE Strategic Direction Listening Session - 2023 National Indian Education Association Conference