EXCLUSIVE: Heinrich looks to bolster Native languages in Head Start while Trump pushes for English-only instruction

New legislation from U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich looks to strengthen Native language use in Tribal Head Start programs. The New Mexico Democrat introduced the Native Language Educators in Classrooms Act last month. Senator Alan Armstrong, a Republican from Oklahoma, is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan legislation. If it becomes law, the bill will recognize the knowledge of elders and fluent Native language speakers, allowing them to bypass some degree requirements for Head Start programs. It would also recognize more credentials from Tribal colleges and universities. The legislation comes as the Trump administration proposes a sweeping overhaul of the Head Start system. Educators and politicians nationwide are pushing back. One proposed change is directly at odds with Heinrich’s new legislation. The Trump administration wants to require all programs to be taught in the English language. Other plans include potentially eliminating small class sizes, math and literacy standards, and free dental and medical screenings.--Than Povi Martinez will become the first Native American Fire Spirit at the Burning of Zozobra this Friday. Bernadette Lauritzen has more on Martinez’s rise through the flames.