NIEA kicks off national convention in Honolulu

Written by OHA Public Information Office, Thursday, 25 October 2007

NIEA president Dr.VerlieAnn Malina-Wright, right, vice principal of Ke Kula Kaiāpuni o Ānuenue Hawaiian immersion school, welcomed delegates with Hawaiian kupuna Auntie Betty Jenkins. -- Blaine Fergerstrom photo.

NIEA opens national convention in Honolulu

HONOLULU -- Thousands of indigenous people packed the Kalākaua Ballroom of the Hawai'i Convention Center today for the opening of the 38th annual National Indian Education Association convention.

From their web site, http://www.niea.org , the association's profile states, "The National Indian Education Association is membership based organization committed to increasing educational opportunities and resources for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students while protecting our cultural and linguistic traditions."

The convention program booklet adds, "The mission of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) is to support traditional Native cultures and values; to enable Native learners to become contributing members of their communities; to promote Native control of educational institutions; and to improve educational opportunities and resources for American Indians,Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians throughout the United States."

Procession and Flag Songs were presented by Yellow Face Drum, White Shield, North Dakota. -- Blaine Fergerstrom photo.

Founded in 1969, NIEA is the largest and oldest Indian education organization in the nation and strives to keep Indian Country moving toward educational equity. Governed by a Board of Directors made up of twelve representatives, the NIEA has several committees that work to ensure native educators and students are represented in various educational institutions and forums throughout Indian Country and Washington, D.C.

Ceremonies today kicked off with a Hawaiian blessing by Auntie Betty Jenkins and a Navajo blessing by Kenneth Maryboy. Students from  Kula Kaiāpuni o Ānuenue Hawaiian immersion school chanted Oli Kahea, asking permission to enter, and were answered with an Oli Komo welcome by  Na Lei Na’auao (Hawaiian Charter School Alliance)  and the NIEA Hawaii Local Planning Committee.

Ke Kula Kaiāpuni o Ānuenue Hawaiian immersion school football team woke the crowd with their Hawaian ha'a, The team performs ha'a in lieu of singing an alma mater. -- Blaine Fergerstrom photo.

Procession and Flag Songs were presented by Yellow Face Drum, White Shield, North Dakota  while a color guard comprised of indigenous members of the U.S. armed services posted the colors.

Delegates were welcomed by NIEA president Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright, a Native Hawaiian and vice principal of Ke Kula Kaiāpuni o Ānuenue Hawaiian immersion school.

Throughout the course of the day, delegates attended workshops, plenary sessions or cruised trade show exhibits in the Kahemaheha Ballroom. Exhibitors included many Hawai'i organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai'i. Vendors showed Indian Native, Hawaiian and Polynesian arts and crafts, literature and music.

The ladies of the Ka'ahumanu Society held an impromptu tea in the Kūpuna Garden. Edith Kanekoa, left, greets society president Donna Lei Smythe while Nickie Hines looks at the latest Ka Wai Ola.- Blaine Fergerstrom photo.

Delegates may have visited the Kūpuna Garden, where elders and visitors were welcomed and entertained by Hawaiian elders. The Ka'ahumanu Society held an informal tea with impromptu 'ukulele accompaniment at one table.

Delegates were also busy taking cultural and educational field trips to Kamehameha Schools, a Hawaiian fishpond, kalo lo'i and other sites of cultural interest.

Vendors featured many native products, including books, music, arts and crafts. -- Blaine Fergerstrom photo.

Woosh.Ji.Een, a Tlingit group from the Juneau, Alaska, area, gave a presentation in the Kamehameha Ballroom of their drumming, song, dance and costume. The group was led by Lyle and Kolene James, of Juneau. Kolene is a University of Alaska Southeast student counselor and Lyle is a high school teacher and advisor.  The group's Tlingit name means, "Working Together With Hands." At one point during the presentation, they invited audience members to join them in a hands-on session.

This evening, show delegates are enjoying a "cultural feast," Hawaiian-style, at McCoy Pavilion.

Juneau, Alaska group Woosh.Ji.Een, led by Lyle and Kolene James, gave a demonstration of Tlingit culture on the show floor. -- Blaine Fergerstrom photo.

The convention, which continues tomorrow at the Hawai'i Convention Center and at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, goes through Saturday and finishes Saturday evening with a gala dinner at the Hilton.

A huge pow wow is planned for tomorrow evening, Friday, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Hawai'i Convention Center. The pow wow is free and open to the public.

The convention schedule is posted on the NIEA web site, http://www.niea.org.

For a gallery of photos from today's events, click here.