Education Ingrained in Tribal Culture, Danforth Says

Education "is an ingrained value in our community," Oneida Chairwoman Christina Danforth told 2003 WEAC Spring Conference participants in Milwaukee.

Danforth described Oneida history and culture and emphasized the importance it places on education.

"We learn throughout our lifespans, and that is why our elders are so important," she said in a general session address to more than 400 participants. "We need to maintain our greatest resource, and our greatest resource is our children - all of our children."

She said she wanted to extend her appreciation to all the educators in Wisconsin. "I applaud and commend you for your hard work and dedication to your communities," she said.

She said the emergence of gaming in the Indian community has enabled the tribes to improve their education services, as well as day care, health care, police, social services and housing.

"I am not a gambler, but I understand what it has done for our community is very important," she said.

Danforth commended Governor Jim Doyle for the new Indian gaming compacts he has negotiated and asked members to contact their elected officials and encourage them to support the compacts. Legislative leaders have pushed through a bill that would undermine the governor's authority to negotiate compacts. Doyle has vetoed the bill, which is awaiting an override vote.

"It's very unfortunate that tribal nations are being used as an example in the game of party politics," Danforth said, adding that the tribes return gaming profits to the community and employ thousands of people. In fact, she said the Oneida tribe is the second largest employer in Brown County. The tribe's casino is just outside of Green Bay.

Danforth said she doesn't like to talk about racism, "but we have to acknowledge it before we can get beyond it."

"What's important as educators is that we keep an open mind and encourage the good and encourage the differences and understand what other people are about," Danforth said.

"It's important that we continue to share who we are and what we are. We will have differences, and that's OK."

In addition to general session speakers, the weekend conference included workshop sessions on many education and union issues, including "Our Diverse Society," collective bargaining, education support professionals, "Making Effective Connections," emerging leaders, classroom management, and a variety of teaching and learning topics.

Doyle asks members for their continued involvement