"NATIVE AMERICAN PARENTS COMMITTEE"

About the NAPC

Native American Parents Committee:
The Austin Independent School District's (AISD)
Native American Parents Committee (NAPC)
was established in the fall of 1991 and has recently
become a 501(c)(3) organization.

Our Organization is composed of the
parents and/or legal guardians of
students enrolled in AISD’S
American Indian Education Project (AIEP),
a student representative
(enrolled in both AISD and AIEP
at the secondary level),
a teacher representative
(currently employed by AISD)
and a community liaison officer
(a member of the American Indian
Community in the Austin Area).

When AISD became aware of our existence,
they approached us with the
request to organize a powwow.
This event was intended to enhance
the education of students in the Austin Area
to some traditions of American Indians Cultures.
The lst Annual Austin Powwow and
American Indian Heritage Festival
was successful beyond anticipation
and continues to grow each year.

Shortly afterwards,
The NAPC applied to Washington D. C.
for a Title IX grant to benefit
the education of those students enrolled
in AISD with American Indian ancestry.

AISD'S AIEP was born with
the NAPC'S application for
(and approval of) federal grant moneys.
These grant moneys are received by
AISD each year and expended,
as determined by NAPC,
to benefit the education of
American Indian Students
enrolled in AISD.
It is the responsibility of the
Native American Parents Committee to
insure that these funds are disbursed as intended
and it is the intention of NAPC to provide
academic and cultural education to our
American Indian Students with these moneys.
Any American Indian Student,
enrolled in AISD,
that can provide information on a
parent (or grandparent) that is registered with any
Tribe recognized by the Federal Government
is eligible to enroll as
a member of AISD'S AIEP.

SUCCESSFUL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF NAPC

*CONTINUED EDUCATION FUND:
Each year, NAPC receives moneys
from very generous individuals in the private sector.
These moneys are intended to promote
advanced education beyond graduation from AISD.
All AISD AIEP Juniors and Seniors
are eligible for one of these scholarships.
Eligible applicants need only to submit the
application along with their transcripts.
*AUSTIN CULTURE CIRCLE:
While this group started as
a dance class sponsored
by NAPC to provide basic dance
instruction to our female students,
we have evolved from a group
that has produced a
champion Fancy Shawl Dancer
into a group that promotes the
education of various
American Indian traditions
to all who care to attend.
We enjoy learning arts, crafts
and the different traditions of
various tribes throughout the
United States as well as dance.
*CULTURAL EDUCATION:
NAPC has isolated a certain amount of grant moneys
each year to bring guest speakers and elders
from various tribes to educate our
students in American Indian traditions.
This endeavor is intended to promote
cultural education in AIEP.
It is the hope of the NAPC that,
through attendance to these presentations,
our students will gain knowledge of,
not only their tribe,
but of the acceptable traditions of all tribes.
*ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY:
At this celebration the NAPC acknowledges the
accomplishments of all students in attendance
(regardless of educational district).
Aside from the recognition awarded to
all those students in attendance,
NAPC also attempts to recognize
those students benefiting from the
Continued Education Fund at this event.

Aside from the above mentioned,
the NAPC endeavors to cooperate with
the local School District (AISD)
in acceptable ways
to educate our students
(and the public)
in the traditions of
The American Indian people.
We, NAPC,
strive to promote both culture and education,
continuance and excellence in education!
Regards,
NAPC Chairperson
Email: NAPC

POWWOW IN THE SCHOOLS
The Great Promise for American Indians, Inc.
is sponsoring an educational program
focused on American Indian arts,
cultures and traditions for the
Central Texas Area School Students.
Powwow in the Schools
focuses on educating students
about the traditional
culture of American Indians,
including arts, music and stories
passed down from
generation to generation.
For more information about
Powwow In The Schools
click HERE.

The Native American Parents Committee
Would like to thank
AISD's
School Board Trustees,
Faculty and Staff
for their support of the
American Indian Education Project
and tremendous support of the
Annual Austin Powwow and
American Indian Hertiage Festival.
Without their help,
this unique gift to
all students and the people
of Central Texas Area
could not happen.

American Indian Education Program

Helping Native American Students to Achieve:

The American Indian Education Program is
a formula grant through the
Office of Indian Education (OIE)
and is 100% federally funded.

Students who are members of a
Federally or State recognized tribe of
American Indians or whose parents or
grandparents are members of an
American Indian Tribe are eligible
to participate in this project.

Students are encouraged to excel in
reading and math skills and are
provided culturally relevant reading
books for summer reading.

Fall and Spring students participate in
Youth/Elder projects designed to bring
the generations together and
encourage academic excellence.

The Native American Parents Committee
(NAPC)
serves as the parent advisory committee.

NAPC usually meets at
Baker Center on
39th Street and Avenue B,
at 6:30 PM
in room 208,
on the second Tuesday
of each month
from September to May.

Students are encouraged to come
to these meetings and participate.

Heritage activities are demonstrated at
these meeting and Youth/Elder events.

Last year members took a
boat tour at the Canyon of the Eagles.

Each year they participate in an
Honor Dance at the Austin Powwow,
the first Saturday of November.

Interested parents may come by
The NAPC information booth
at the Austin Powwow
and get a brochure and
talk to other parents and students
who are actively involved in the program.

Central Texas First Nations
Education Consortium

The Central Texas
First Nations Education Consortium
is a group of school districts
working together to help
American Indian Students to excel.

Current members include:
Austin ISD, Bastrop ISD,
Dripping Springs ISD, Leander ISD,
Liberty Hill ISD, Pflugerville ISD,
Round Rock ISD, Wimberley ISD,
and Sunset Valley ISD.

We welcome other districts
to our consortium.

Please contact this office
at 512.414.0159
for more information.

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