Renowned Authors and Native Education Advocates Highlight NIEA's Keynote Speakers

Washington, DC (Sept, 10, 2014) – The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) announced today the keynote speakers for the 45th NIEA Annual Convention and Trade show being held in Anchorage, AK, October 15-18, 2014. The convention will highlight ideas and strategies that are driving Native student achievement. Attendees will choose from more than 60 workshops addressing topics that are vital to improving Native education, including sessions on Early Childhood Education, Public Schools & Urban Native Education, College and Career Readiness, and more.

"Each year, NIEA holds our Annual Convention and Trade show to bring together educators from around the country to share, network, and learn in this must-attend educational event," said Pamela Agoyo, President of NIEA. "This year's Convention in Anchorage will be no exception. We look forward to celebrating our success and working together to advance educational opportunities for all Native students.”

The three key note speakers are:

Mark Trahant (Thursday, Oct. 16 9:00 AM)- Trahant’s published works and editorial prowess have won him numerous awards throughout his career. Trahant has several publications focused on Native issues including his most recent book, “The Last Great Battle of the Indian Wars.” Before assuming his current role as the 20th Atwood Chair of Journalism at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Trahant was the former CEO and chairman of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education in Oakland, California.

Dr. Walter Kahumoku III (Friday, Oct. 17 9:20 AM)- Dr. Walter Kahumoku III is the Director of the Kauhale Kīpaipai (Educator Professional Development) department of the Kamehameha Schools and has dedicated his life’s work to improving the educational well-being of Hawaiian learners. Walter has seven publications, is an adjunct professor at the University of Hawai’i’s College of Education, has presented or keynoted at 67 conferences around the globe, and has supervised countless graduate students, many of whom are Native Hawaiian.

Dr. Kawai'ae'a (Saturday, Oct. 18 3:00 PM)- Dr. Kawai'ae'a, her daughter, Kananinohea Māka`imoku, and granddaughter, Hāweo`ulakaumaka Māka`imoku, have all played a critical role in the family-based development and fruition of the P-20 Hawaiian language immersion movement and are one of the movement’s founding families. Dr. Kawai'ae'a currently serves as the Director of Ka Haka `Ula o Ke`elikōlani, College of Hawaiian Language, University of Hawai`i.

To register for the 2014 Annual Convention and Trade show, visit the conference website, NIEA.org. The early-bird registration rate is available through September 15, 2014. Exhibitor registration for the trade show ends on September 10th, 2014.

Who is NIEA: Native education stakeholders incorporated NIEA in 1970. The membership-driven organization has since been dedicated to the mission of advancing quality education for all American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian peoples. The Association’s 2,500 members work each day to strengthen Native educational opportunities while also preserving the unique cultures and languages of Native Americans.