Education Department

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The Education Department provides several programs and services to the Walker River Paiute Tribe.

Education Department Grant Policies and Applications

Higher Education Grant Program Policy:

Deadlines are August 1st and Dec. 1st (Spring/Fall Basis):
The Higher Education Grant is a financial program based on the need to provide educational opportunities for Walker River Paiute Tribal members to attend a higher education institution. The program’s funding criteria are based on the Walker River Paiute Tribe’s annual funding agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). This program is designed to offer support and guidance in attaining a higher education. Students must be entering or continuing with their post-secondary education at the undergraduate level and require financial support. Please carefully read through the policies and procedures before applying. Applications are accepted by mail, email, and fax.

Adult Vocational Training (AVT) Grant Policy:

Deadlines are Dec. 15, Mar. 15, Jun. 15, and Sept. 15 (Quarterly Basis):
The AVT program is to assist enrolled members of the Walker River Paiute Tribe in acquiring the necessary job skills for a satisfactory level of performance and full-time employment. Please carefully read through the policies and procedures before applying. Applications are accepted by mail, email, and fax.

Agai Dicutta Scholarship:

Applicable through applying for the Higher Education Grant, or the AVT Grant program:
The scholarship is made available from tax revenues collected on the Walker River Paiute Reservation. Each year, the revenues vary, and each year, the amount allotted to the Education Department varies. This funding is contingent on the amount of business conducted on the reservation. Please carefully read through the policies and procedures before applying. Applications are accepted by mail, email, and fax.

Enrichment Grant:

Deadlines are Dec. 15, Mar. 15, Jun. 15, and Sept. 15 (Quarterly Basis):
The purpose of the Enrichment Program is to allow Walker River Tribal members the opportunity to enhance their skills and enrich their lives by attending higher education classes on a part-time basis, summer classes, PhD, or Master Programs. Please carefully read through the policies and procedures before applying. Applications are accepted by mail, email, and fax.

Overview of Our Programs:

Higher Education Grant Program
Purpose: To provide financial aid to eligible Indian students to enable them to attend accredited institutions of higher education. To promote Indian self-determination and improve the quality of life in Tribal communities by providing great flexibility in planning programs and meeting the community’s needs.

The Tax Fund Use Plan also contributes to Higher Education funding each year, including the following programs:

• The Adult Vocational Training (AVT) Program assists enrolled members of the Walker River Paiute Tribe in acquiring the necessary job skills for a satisfactory level of performance and full-time employment.
• The Enrichment Program allows Walker River Tribal members the opportunity to enhance their skills and enrich their lives by attending higher education classes on a part-time basis, summer classes, and Ph.D. or Master Programs.

Agai Dicutta Scholarship Policy – Applicable through applying for the Higher Education Grant or the AVT Grant program: The scholarship is made available from tax revenues collected on the Walker River Paiute Reservation. Each year, the revenues vary, and each year, the amount allotted to the Education Department varies. This funding is contingent on the amount of business conducted on the reservation

Johnson O’Malley Program (JOM)
Purpose: To fund programs that meet the unique and specialized needs of eligible Native students. Funds may be used for supplemental programs to meet the special educationally related needs of eligible Native students. Funds under this program are not to be used for capital expenditures.

The JOM Program assists with various areas of the Education Department, including summer enrichment activities, community gatherings and events promoting education and cultural activities, and parental expenses, including graduation assistance, student body/activity cards, lab fees, course fees, test fees, school/shop supplies, sports fees, and other school-related materials. JOM also supports incentive costs related to academic excellence and back-to-school events. With staff, it supports a small percentage towards salary/fringe, training, and travel costs to assist students in after-school tutoring.

Native American Library Services: (Enhancement Grant) The Native American Library Services grant is designed to assist tribal communities in improving core library services. Reflecting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)’s agency-level goals of championing lifelong learning, strengthening community engagement, and advancing collections stewardship and access, the goals for this program are as follows:

• To enhance literacy, college, and career pathways, and connect traditional language preservation and culturally based curriculum for students of all ages.
• To expand the library capacity through the Education Department to raise focus areas of academic and career advancement, life-readiness skills, and critical thinking skills, and
• To strengthen community engagement practices and methods of success.

The Education Department is currently ordering books to populate the library for use, and it will include a quiet reading area, space for workshops, a presentation area, and additional resources for the college and career pathways goals.

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Native Youth Community Project (NYCP):

The NYCP program is a collaborative effort across three areas in Nevada: the Nevada Department of Education’s Office of Inclusive Education’s – Indian Education Program, and Local Education Agencies. NYCP initiatives include three initiatives to address the barriers within and outside of school for Native students related to college and career readiness. Our Education Department employs two NYCP College and Career Coaches who provide mentorship and support for 7th-12th grade students while focusing on the following goals:

• Goal 1: Implement a successful NYCP that promotes and prepares Native students for college and careers with an emphasis on careers in the teaching profession. 
• Goal 2: Increase student academic performance by including opportunities in the local community to support Native students. 
• Goal 3: Increase student motivation and readiness to attend college or vocational training.

External Resources

Access to School Websites

• Schurz Elementary School
• Hawthorne Elementary School
• Hawthorne Junior High School
• Mineral County High School
• Yerington Elementary School
• Yerington Intermediate School
• Yerington High School
• Churchill County Middle School
• Churchill County High School
• Pyramid Lake High School

Access to School Districts

• Mineral County School District
• Lyon County School District
• Churchill County School District

The following are links to guides to help Native American students find the support and scholarships they need as they pursue higher education and vocational/enrichment programs:

Native Forward Scholars Fund

Education Loan Finance (ELFI):
This organization has designed and created a guide on how to find scholarships as well as a guide for student loan and how to pay them off efficiently.

Strengthening Financial Avenues in Native American Communities:

A Guide to Tribal Colleges and Scholarships for Native Americans:

American Indian Services 501(c)(3) Public Charity

Scholarships for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students attending Trade schools

Access to Free Educational Websites:

• Epic – The leading digital library for kids, offering unlimited access to 40,000 of the best children’s books of all time. Sign up for a free 30-day trial, or sign in to your account to instantly access high-quality online books for kids, ebooks, audiobooks, quizzes, videos, and more.  https://www.getepic.com/
• Crayola At Home – Create and learn fun things to do at home with kids. https://www.crayola.com/athome
• Nat Geo Kids – Games, videos, animals, and exploration. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

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