Dr. Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert, a professor at Northern Arizona University, elected to serve as the 2007-2008 National Indian Education Association (NIEA) President. He was sworn in during the NIEA’s 38th Annual Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. Last year, he served on the NIEA board of directors, and was elected by the board to be the president-elect in 2006.
Photo: Dr. Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert
He succeeds Verli-Ann Malina Wright, a Native Hawaiian, who ended her one-year term as president on the last day of the convention, according to the NIEA by-laws.
Gilbert is an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe and is from the village of Moenkopi in northeastern Arizona. Dr. Gilbert is a Professor of Education at Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff, Arizona.
He also served as Chair of the Educational Specialties Department (Special Education, Gifted Education, Bilingual/Multicultural Education, Career/Technical Education, and Educational Technology) in the College of Education at NAU.
His expertise is Curriculum and Instruction, American Indian education and Bilingual/Multicultural education and has extensive experience as an administrator, faculty and researcher in higher education.
There were three expiring terms for the Board of Directors; Verlie Ann Malina-Wright (Native Hawaiian), Vice Principal of Kula Kaiapuni `O Anuenue, Hawai`i, who served this past year as president, Cameron Cuch (Northern Ute/Wampanoag), and Shirley Begay (Navajo Nation), Superintendent of Apache County, Arizona.
The National Indian Education Association, a 501(c) (3) organization, was founded in 1969 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.
As a 38 year old membership-based, nonprofit organization, NIEA registration for the convention includes a full year of member incentives, updates and a quarterly newsletter.
For more information concerning registration and membership call (202) 544-7290 or visit National Indian Education Association.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu