WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $2.5 million in federal funding for Head Start programs on North Dakota’s Spirit Lake and Standing Rock reservations.
The funds support early childhood learning and development, which Heitkamp has long been a strong advocate for both on and off the reservations.
“Starting all of our children off at a young age with a strong education, like Head Start provides, will help set them on the right path forward. That’s why it’s so important that we invest in Head Start programs, particularly in Indian County,” said Heitkamp. “These funds will help the Head Start programs at Standing Rock and Spirit Lake help more children get the education they deserve.”
The grants are distributed as follows:
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe – $1,540,080
- Cankdeska Cikana Community College at Spirit Lake Nation – $1,021,110
The funds will enable the Head Start programs to meet the educational needs of children enrolled in the programs, purchase necessary center and classroom supplies, and support the professional development of staff.
Heitkamp is also working in the Senate to address many of the challenges Native children face, including low graduation rates. Heitkamp’s bipartisan bill to create a Commission on Native Childrenwould look at many of these issues and seek to find ways to address them so Native children have every opportunity to succeed. The U.S. Secretary of Education would be part of the 11-member Commission. Additionally, the Commission would make recommendations to improve school attendance, performance, and graduation rates for Native children across all grade levels.
Heitkamp has also backed legislation to preserve and protect Native American languages and culturethrough education programs in Indian Country. The bill would establish a grant program to support Native language immersion instruction programs, which have been shown to improve academic performance and attendance, and equip Native youth with the tools they need to be successful into the future.
Press release provided by US Senator Heidi Heitkamp
Leave a Reply