President Carter is largely known for creating the foundation that guides Jewish and Arab relations in the Middle East to present day. But in addition to his impact on international relations and commitment to world peace and service during and after his presidency, President Carter understood the equal importance of Nation-to-Nation diplomacy and building strong sovereign Indian Nations at home.
President Carter had a profound impact on Native people by strengthening Tribal Nations’ sovereignty through education by signing the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act and the Indian Education Title of the Education Amendments Act into law.
When tribal educators and founders of the Tribal college movement sought the support of the federal government for resources to build and sustain community-based colleges, President Carter’s administration provided that support to ensure the sustainability of these institutions. He signed the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act on October 17, 1978. At the time he shared, “This past summer, the ‘Longest Walk’ brought attention to the special needs of Indian communities and their special relationship to the Federal Government. This act provides a needed base of stable funding for postsecondary education on our Indian reservations and provides American Indians with greater educational opportunities near their families, their tribes, and their places of employment.” The Indian Education Title of the Education Amendments Act focused on improving educational opportunities for Native students within the public school system.
We remember these important acts along with his commitment to universal public education through the establishment of the U.S. Department of Education as important contributions to public service in addition to his many humanitarian acts.
We thank President Carter for his dedicated service and his commitment to education as the underpinning of strong, sovereign Nations, the benefits of which continue to today.
