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NOTICES Tribal America’s Brightest and Most Promising Need Apply ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Ameri cans for Indian Opportunity (AIO) is searching for 16 American Indian lead ers to participate in the award-winning leadership development initiative - the American Indian Ambassadors Program. These emerging leaders will undergo a two-year fellowship, including three one-week gatherings across the U.S. and one international gathering (past gather ings have occurred with the Indigenous people of New Zealand, Guatemala, Bo livia, Venezuela, and Mexico). LaDonna Harris (Comanche), cham pion of indigenous rights, leads the am bassadors program. Along with her fel low American Indian leaders, including tribal chairmen, judges, social workers, lawyers, politicians, and artists, Harris founded AIO in the 1970s and became a force to be reckoned with, revolution izing and challenging Native American legislation. In the 1990s, the AIO board of direc tors realized the need to pass on the col lective wisdom of AIO, like their ances tors, to the next generation. Twelve years later, 150 American Indian ambassadors and a new Maori Ambassadors Program in New Zealand are having an impact on Indigenous communities worldwide. “The AIO Ambassadors Program is a dynamic gift to Native America. When I meet ambassadors, they are aglow with this exciting experience that touches their hearts and minds, and inspires them to strive for leadership and service,” proclaims Ada Deer (Menominee), a former assistant secretary of the Department of Interior. The ambassadors program provides a creative combination of mentorship, personal inquiry into one’s own “medi cine” or inner strength, community orga nizing skills, dialogue with national and international decision-makers, and a dis covery process into tribal values. Ambas sadors bring the rich backgrounds and unique values of their tribes and commu nities to the program. “It’s the only leadership development in the United States that allows Native Americans to define for ourselves, within the context of our own cultural values, what kind of leaders we need to ensure the future of tribal America,” says Harris. Because of its national reputation, AIO can recruit skilled leaders to engage the ambassadors in discussions and inter active sessions. From tribal elected offi cials and directors of national organiza tions to members of the U.S. Congress and the president’s Cabinet to indigenous leaders from throughout the world, the ambassadors are exposed to many different leadership styles and levels of influence. “I support AIO and the ambassadors program because of the new leaders it pro duces and the honor these leaders bring to their tribal nations,” says the Honor able Phillip Martin, chief of the Missis sippi Band of Choctaw Indians. His tribe has had two tribal members go through the program. AIO is conducting an extensive na tional campaign to enlist America’s brightest and most promising emerging American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian leaders between the ages of 25 and 35. To be considered for the highly competitive program, candidates must submit an official application and two nominations by Jan. 8, 2006, to AIO national headquarters at 1001 Marquette Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For more information, phone 505-842-8677 or visit www.aio.org. Americans for Indian Opportunities envisions a world that recognizes and cel ebrates the contributions and continuation of indigenous values. AIO catalyzes and facilitates culturally appropriate initia tives and opportunities that enrich the cul tural, political, and economic lives of Native peoples. IHS Scholarship Applications Available The Portland Area Indian Health Ser vice (IHS) has scholarship applications available. To request an application, please forward your name and address to the following: Indian Health Service - Portland Area Office Attn: Athena Bezahaloni, IHS Scholar ship Coordinator 1220 SW Third Ave., Suite 400 Portland, OR 97204 503-326-7428 Fax: 503-326-5787 E-mail: abezahal@pao.portland.ihs.gov IHS scholarship applications are due in the Portland Area Office hy Feb. 28, 2006. Interested students are encouraged to visit www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/ DHPS/Scholarships/Scholarship_index.asp for information on this scholarship pro gram. Forms can be downloaded from this Web site that will provide students with an idea of what they will be required to submit with their application. Previously, students were required to submit their BIA Form 4432; the schol arship committee would not consider stu dents who submitted their tribal cards. Depending on the submission require ments for 2006/07, students are strongly advised to obtain their BIA Form 4432 now in order to be prepared. Students can obtain this form on the Internet. For filing instructions regarding BIA Form 4432, please contact your res ervation BIA agency. QEM Offers Internships for Science Students The Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network, a Washington, D.C.- based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the education of minorities nationwide, is offering 10-week summer internships for students from tribal colleges and universities that run from May 29 to Aug. 4, 2006. The QEM Network Internship Pro gram is designed to enhance students' ability to apply their knowledge to the internship assignment, increase their understanding of the educational and health needs of minorities, and instill a sense of responsibility to help others in their communities. The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) provides five intern ships for students enrolled at TCUP in stitutions to give them the opportunity to become familiar with science education policies and how they affect the educa tion of American Indians; learn about health disparities disproportionately af fecting American Indians; and design a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM(-focused commu nity outreach program that will engage K-12 students in their respective commu nities in hands-on science and mathemat ics activities. The application deadline for these internships is March 20, 2006. These internships provide under graduate and graduate students the oppor tunity to interact with program officers at the National Science Foundation (NSF) who are involved in making science policy; to participate in, and further develop their skills through, mathemat ics, science, or engineering ( MSE)-related research; and to further develop their potential for becoming leaders and pro ponents of increased MSE participation by students from minority and low- income families. For science policy-oriented intern ships, applicants must be majoring in the physical or life sciences, mathematics, engineering, or technology at an accred ited U.S. institution. Up to five science internship oppor tunities will be available to students at tribal colleges and universities who meet the eligibility criteria. In addition to a $3,000 stipend, in terns will be provided round-trip travel, housing on the campus of George Wash ington University, and support for local ground transportation. Applications can be downloaded at http://qemnetwork.qem.org/ IntemshipTribalApp2006.pdf. Mail applications and direct inquiries to QEM Network, Internship Program. 1818 N St. NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20036; 202-659-1818; Fax: 202-659-5408; e-mail: qemnetwork@qem.org. Join New Northwest Indian Storytellers Association A group of Oregon and Washing ton storytellers and cultural advisors are forming the Northwest Indian Sto rytellers Association (NISA). Its pur pose is to encourage, preserve, and strengthen traditional storytelling among tribes in Oregon and Washington. The group is especially reaching out to younger generations who want to apprentice in storytelling. NISA is sponsoring the First An nual Northwest Indian Storytellers Conference and Apprenticeship Work shop on Jan. 5-7, 2(X)6, in Portland, Ore. Events will include a one-day ap prenticeship workshop, one-day story tellers conference, and two public storytelling events hosted by Portland areatribal and educational organizations. Events will be held at the Native American Student and Community Center at Portland State University and other venues. The Mark Spencer Hotel is providing a special $59 rate for lodging on the weekend of Jan. 5-8. This project is sponsored by Wis dom of the Elders, Inc., the Native American Student and Community Center at Portland State University, and the Mark Spencer Hotel, with funding from the National Endow ment for the Arts, the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition, and Umpqua Bank. For more information, contact Elaine Lanegan, (Siletz) Tribal liaison, at liaison@wisdomoftheelders.org or 503-777-7140. January 2006 • Siletz News • 13
