Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Oklahoma Native Education Network (ONEN) will host a series of six community forums around the state to bring the Oklahoma American Indian community together to address culturally relevant education issues. The first forum will be held Thursday, May 19, 2005 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex, O-Si-Yo Training Room. This forum is intended for Oklahomans in the northeastern region of the state.

ONEN seeks to establish strong networking bonds among the statewide community and to develop a strategic plan for the reform and improvement of education for American Indians.

ONEN brings together public school, Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal education educators; higher education faculty and staff; school administrators; program directors, parents; students and community members to identify, discuss and confirm the strategies believed to be most likely to improve the quality of education offered to Oklahoma’s American Indians.

After other regional community forums are held, the discussion will culminate at a statewide conference, June 28-29 at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Forum participants will then meet with American Indian experts in the identified areas of concern and modify ONEN’s plan of action for education reform.

Anyone interested in advancing education for Oklahoma’s American Indians is invited to attend the community forums and two-day conference.

To participate in the community forum in Tahlequah, contact Lillie Williams, phone: 918-833-9567. For other forum dates and locations or additional conference information contact Diana Cournoyer, phone: 405-325-5701.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org