Beware of on-line diplomas...

Tribal Council adopts IIM policy changes

PABLO - The Tribal Council recently adopted a change to the requirements that must be met before a youth may access their IIM (Individual Indian Money) account.

Last August, the policy was changed to require a high school diploma or GED, prior to youth accessing their IIM funds at age 18. In addition, area youth must complete a minimum of 20 hours of financial literacy training which includes budgeting, financial management, banking issues, etc.

The most recent Council change clarifies that an on-line diploma will require verification by Tribal staff before any IIM funds are released. If the on-line diploma is not accredited and/or does not meet the educational rigor of a high school diploma or GED, then the on-line diploma will not be accepted.

At that point, youth will be directed back to their local high school, to Job Corp or the SKC GED program.

Youth may apply for financial assistance through the DHRD Program to access assistance with GED fees and they may also apply for the non-residential program with the local Kicking Horse Job Corp as a way to obtain a GED.

Under an agreement, DHRD-eligible youth may attend Kicking Horse Job Corp and still live at home. This is especially critical for families with children. Both DHRD and Kicking Horse provide financial incentives to eligible youth who obtain their GEDs.

Information about the GED program or the non-residential Job Corp program may be obtained from Carrie Antoine, 675-2700 ext. 1295, or Lettie Neuman, 675-2700 ext. 6302.

Those students needing financial literacy instruction may contact Dana Grant at 675-2700 ext. 1220 for upcoming training dates and times. The Tribes do accept some local high school coursework to satisfy the financial literacy requirement. Questions about those areas may be directed to Grant, extension 1220.

These efforts are part of the Tribes' goals of self-sufficiency for all of the Tribal membership. It is important to obtain a high school diploma or GED, in order to become gainfully employed and be self-sufficient. There are very few jobs that do not require a high school diploma or GED.

Those students and families needing an education advocate, or experiencing difficulty in a school system, may contact the Tribal Education Department at 675-2700 ext. 1073.

The Tribal Council has supported the DHRD backpack project as a way to ensure that all CSKT children start school with some essential items, ready to learn.

Tribal Chairman James H. Steele encourages all youth to remain in school. "It is important to stay in school and learn everything you can," he says. He and all of the Tribal Council wish all families a safe and productive school year.