IRD Newsletter - May 2021
The Indian Resources Development serves and collaborates with diverse groups of people, and this newsletter attempts to be a resource for all.
Table of Contents
2021 Virtual Dream Keepers Camp for High School Students
The widespread closure of schools and youth development programs due to the COVID pandemic posed many challenges for students. In particular their traditional learning environments changed and access to resources became limited. IRD’s response to ensure students would have access to career exploration opportunities is to launch a second virtual Dream Keepers Camp in 2021. IRD will offer a free three-week camp in July 2021 for students to explore college and careers in agriculture, natural resources, engineering, and business, and create a plan to pursue higher education. Students will learn from different professionals in higher education institutions, agencies, organizations, businesses, and tribal entities from across NM.
Student Benefits:
- Explore career opportunities with professionals.
- Discover individual skills, interests, and education goals.
- Connect with other Native students.
Parents, students, and educators are encouraged to visit the IRD website to learn more about the Dream Keepers camp as well as how they can access other resources promoting student success. |
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College Students Gain Leadership Opportunities
Peer-mentoring is an educational practice in which students mentor other students, under supervised environments, to learn and share from one another. The Dream Keepers Camp sponsored by IRD, provides an opportunity for college students to gain leadership skills, network with other college students, and learn/share with their mentees. The Dream Keepers virtual camp provides college students with such a mentor leadership opportunity. College students whose different backgrounds, educational majors, and who are from different colleges provide relevant experience for incoming students. College students are encouraged to apply for the July 2021 camp as mentors. To receive updates for applications please visit the IRD website .
For NM Tribal Entities and Businesses
IRD supports NM tribes in developing their own technical and managerial expertise in agriculture, natural resources, engineering, and business via internships and professional connections. To learn more about how your community can benefit from the services of IRD, please visit IRD's webpage partnerships with NM Tribes , or send an email to ird@nmsu.edu .
Your Guide to College Financial Resources
Looking for scholarships, grants, and loans to finance college?
The Sources of Financial Aid for Native Americans booklet is prepared by the NSMU Indian Resources Development. This booklet lists sources of financial aid for Native American college students and potential college students. Eligibility requirements and deadlines vary for every scholarship listed. This source includes college, state, federal, Tribal, American Indian resources, grants, loans, non-tribal scholarships and a list of websites with additional scholarship resources. Good luck in your searches. |
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Meet the IRD Team
Every issue you will be introduced to featured Professionals who are providing services and support to New Mexico’s Tribal communities and their members through their hard work. This issue we would like to introduce you to the Indian Resources Development team that includes Claudia Trueblood, Director; Charlene Carr, Program Coordinator; Justin Karrenberg, Graduate Assistant, Vanisha Sam, Student Assistant, and Joshua Capitan, Student Assistant. To further the IRD mission, the IRD team members bring program development, partnerships, tribal outreach experience, curriculum development, student recruitment/advising, volunteering, and their passions. The team works to support Native American students from New Mexico in becoming agriculturalists, engineers, natural resource scientists, and business people prepared to contribute to the effective development and management of tribal resources. To learn more the individual members please visit the Meet the Team page.
What's Going On in New Mexico
Chizh for Cheii
| The program Chizh for Cheii (CFC) is a non-profit organization that has been assisting Navajo elderly on the Navajo Nation with firewood for nine years. “Chizh for Cheii” means “Wood for Grandpa.” Their goal is to have no cold elderly on Navajo land (citation). By the end of 2020, CFC had distributed 991 loads. In addition to providing firewood, CFC assists the elderly with yard clean up and small home repairs, including winterization. CFC also provided boxes of food, water, and supplies to over 10,000 families. To learn more or to donate, you can follow Chizh for Cheii on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter . |
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The Indian Education Department: Supporting Students and Institutions
The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) is responsible for promoting student success through oversight and support of New Mexico public higher education institutions. Within the NMHED is the Indian Education Division which builds and maintains two-way communication between NMHED and Tribal Communities. This communication is imperative for successful collaboration in Government-to-Government relations and Tribal Consultation. Tribes, Nations and Pueblos in New Mexico explore partnerships with NMHED to supports students and can be accessed on their website. Resources on their website include but not limited to information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), financial aid, institutional scholarships, and more. To explore financial aid resources, students can visit the Indian Education’s website .
Public School Students Rights – What You Need to Know
In July 2018, Judge Sarah Singleton ruled on the Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico that the state violated public school students’ rights to a sufficient and uniform education in regards to students’ low-income, color, English language learners, and students with disabilities. The state is ordered to develop a state plan that meets the constitutional mandate to guarantees all public school students the opportunity to be college and career ready. This past year, the state legislature increased education funding, but districts spent the bulk on much needed raises for educators which did not leave enough funding for basic educational necessities meaning the state did not complied with the court’s ruling. Recently, on April 30, 2021, First Judicial District Court Judge Matthew Wilson ordered the State of New Mexico to provide computers and high speed-internet to thousands of at-risk students lacking these necessary tools for remote learning under the Yazzie/ Martinez lawsuit. To learn more details about this case visit UNM’s Quick Guide or Transform Education NM .
Call to Action
| Greetings, IRD hopes that you are ready to start a fresh and productive summer as the Spring semester comes to an end. While you are on your way, check out the IRD Facebook page at facebook.com/NMSUIRD and the IRD Current Opportunities webpage. On these pages, you will find updates and announcements about opportunities relating to IRD and our partners. IRD would also like to invite you to contact IRD if you are interested in supporting IRD in promoting, developing, identifying, or funding internships. Contact IRD at ird@nmsu.edu . Have a warm, delightful summer! |
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IRD: Helping Students Navigate NM Colleges & Universities
IRD’s objective is to connect students with various resources and opportunities as they prepare to enter studies and careers focused on agriculture, engineering, natural resources, and business. Through these opportunities IRD works to support students so that they can take the lead on initiatives that advance the development and management of tribal resources. There are multiple ways IRD pursues this objective through internships, college prep, research experiences, and international experiences. Internship opportunities are promoted, funded and developed through IRD in collaboration with university, college, and Tribal partners to support Indigenous students interested in college prep and career exploration camps as well as professional development. You can learn more about how these opportunities are possible by reading about our partnerships with NM universities and colleges.
