I believe the best work we can do in DC for our students is to empower our teachers and administrators to address student needs as quickly as possible.

It is both an institutional issue that we are dealing with and it is also a resource issue that we are dealing with.

I believe that BIE must be held accountable for their inaction in response to the concerns raised about Chemawa.

It makes it difficult for me to do my job as their elected official and impedes on our ability to have the open dialogue that is necessary to make progress at the school.

I am disheartened that Mr. Tahsuda and Director Dearman, both of whom were invited to testify today, chose not to come.

BIE and the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs have a responsibility to thousands of Native students, and I have a responsibility to my constituents and students in Oregon.

I know how much these community members... are risking in order to talk with us about Chemawa.

Despite the promise of dialogue, I was frustrated and dismayed to be told at the meeting that Chemawa and BIE staff are prohibited from talking with us, their elected representatives without approval from Congressional Affairs in…

I have been spearheading the Oregon delegation's efforts to shed light on the situation at the school for more than a year and a half.

Our main priority is for Chemawa to be a safe place for Native students to thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Upholding the establishment of Tribal homelands should be, and is, one of the most important actions that this Congress can take. It is not just about tax-exempt status or economic…