Mission- The Shawnee American Indian Education Parent Committee (SIEPC) has been formed to assist the Shawnee Public School District in providing an improved elementary and secondary school program designed to meet the unique culturally related academic needs of the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) student population so that these students can achieve to the same challenging state standards a
s all students. Determine, assess, & address the culturally related academic needs of the AI/AN student population. Promote participation in & support for district program among AI/AN parents
c. Promote cross-cultural understanding & appreciation of all racial & ethnic communities among district staff, students, & parents
d. Promote involvement of local Tribal governments
e. Work in partnership with district to achieve high standards for all students
II. Prioritize project activities & allocate project funds. III. Advise the district personnel department in developing & refining project job descriptions & participate in candidate review & selection. AIEPC 2012/2013 Elected Officers (2 year terms):
• Chairperson- John Soap, Absentee Shawnee/Cherokee
• Vice Chairperson- Wendie Boswell, Seminole of Oklahoma
• Secretary/Treasurer- Bhie-Cie Ledesma, Te-Moak Shoshone of Nevada
• Assistant Secretary/Auditor- Stephanie Lasley, Absentee Shawnee of Oklahoma
• Teacher/Advisor/Counselor Representative- James Bates, Cheyenne & Arapaho/Navajo
• Member- Tee Edwards, Chickasaw/Choctaw
The Office of Indian Education (OIE), was created in 1972 under the Indian Education Act. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 amends the Indian education programs in OIE as Title VII, Part A of Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Federal legislation focuses on the education of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians for preschool to graduate school. The Shawnee American Indian Education Parent Committee was formed as a means for parents in the community to support the purposes of the program for the benefit of the students. In Shawnee Oklahoma, the AIEPC became very active and continues to be so, since the mid 1980’s.