Canku Ota
	(Many Paths)
	An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
	May 19, 2001 - Issue 36
	School News
	gathered by Vicki Lockard
	The information here will include items of interest for and about Native American schools. If you have news to share, please let us know! I can be reached by emailing: Vlockard@aol.com

Cherokee Nation Honors Top Students TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Education department hosted the Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Awards for Excellence on April 24 at the Northeastern State University Ballroom. This year 557 Indian students from more than 80 schools in the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction were honored. The Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Awards for Excellence recognizes students who have excelled and displayed outstanding merit in the areas of academics, sports, extra curricular activities, and citizenship for school and community service. Patsy Morton, past council member and chairperson of the Education Committee, was the key influence in establishing the awards ceremony. “I think so many Indian kids don’t realize their potential,” Morton said. “I want to try to do things to develop their potential. The annual awards ceremony recognizes students from schools all over Cherokee Nation to let them know we are interested in them.” The Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Awards for Excellence began in 1987 as an honors assembly to recognize Indian students graduating from the eighth, ninth and twelfth grades throughout the Cherokee Nation. In 1993, an award was established for one outstanding male and female senior from each of the nine Cherokee Nation districts. “The Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Award is a special award; only one person receives this award. It’s an honor my credentials finally mean something,” said Stephen Highers, a student at Fort Gibson High School who was named the outstanding male senior from District 4. For more information on the Tsa-La-Gi Trail of Tears Awards of Excellence call the Cherokee Nation Education department at (918) 456-0671, ext. 2208. http://www.cherokee.org/NewsArchives/Archives2001/4-01-25.htm

Grant to help Pine Ridge students SIOUX FALLS, SD — Schools on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation will get almost $950,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor to help exceptionally good students prepare for college. U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao said the money will come as part of the Rewarding Youth Achievement program. The goal of the program is to increase the number of students who go to college. The money will fund a mentoring program for students with good grades and attendance. It will also help provide paid summer jobs, counseling, summer classes and tutoring for the students. "These young people are trying hard to break the cycle of poverty, but the barriers they face can make them feel there are few opportunities available for them," Chao said. http://www.rapidcityjournal.com

Repulse Teacher Wins National Award REPULSE, NUNAVUT - A teacher from Repulse Bay was honoured last night as one of the fifteen most innovative teachers in the country. Carmie MacLean is a teacher and vice-principal at Tusarvik School. She was presented with the award by Prime Minister Jean Chretien, at a ceremony in Ottawa Thursday. The principal of Tusarvik School, Ian MacRae, nominated MacLean for the prize. He says her teaching skills and her personal commitment to education, are extraordinary. MacLean started a program that has improved attendance dramatically at the school. She stays late almost every night, writing personal e-mail messages to each of her students. MacLean plans to move back down south at the end of the school year.

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