White Earth awarded competitive federal grant for education

WHITE EARTH, MINN. – The White Earth Nation was notified Friday, Dec. 16 it was selected to receive a grant award from the $500 million Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge fund, a competitive grant program jointly administered by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

Minnesota was one of nine states selected to share $500 million in grants aimed at early education. Minnesota’s $45 million will go toward expanding early education programs in high poverty communities. Key reforms will include raising standards for existing early learning and development programs; improving training and support for the early learning workforce; and promote effective practices and programs to help parents make informed decisions.

In addition to White Earth - Itasca County, St. Paul’s Promise Neighborhood and Minneapolis’ Northside Achievement Zone will be the first communities to benefit from the federal aid.

MEDIA: White Earth is holding a press conference to further address this grant on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at noon at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center (Roy Lake room) located in Mahnomen, Minn. White Earth Chairwomen Erma J. Vizenor will be sharing her comments at the conference and White Earth Education Director Joan LaVoy, and White Earth Child Care Program/Early Childhood Director Barb Fabre will be available for questions.