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Tuba City Unified School District

Stronger Together

Native Language & Culture

Native Language & Culture Program

Logo for the Native Language & Culture Program featuring crossed feathers.

 

Reid, Jonessa
Native Language & Culture Program Coordinator
(928) 283-1179

Nockideneh, Clarissa
Native Language & Culture Program / Federal Projects Secretary
(928) 283-1183

Vision Statement
Our students will strengthen their Indigenous heritage.

 

Mission Statement
The mission of the Native Language and Culture Program is to build a strong holistic foundation, enrich our children’s indigenous heritage knowledge and inspire students to become lifelong learners.

 

Goals

The Native Language and Culture Program:

  • Will use assessment results to guide instructions and support a data driven program.
  • Will reinforce language learning and cultural awareness while supporting the needs of students and teachers.
  • Will provide relevant community engagement:
    • Cultural Activities
    • Professional Learning
    • College/Career Development

Indian Education Committee Meeting Schedule 2026-2027

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Indian Education Committee Members

Vacant

President Dzil Libei Elementary

Merna Tallsalt

Vice President Tsinabaas Habitiin Elementary

LaVernda Whitehair

Secretary Tuba City Elementary

Doug Begay

Member Tuba City JR High School

Marie Jensen

Member Tuba City High School

Vacant

Nizhoni Accelerated Academy

IEC Bylaws 2026-2027

RESOLUTION of the 24th Navajo Nation Council

Indian Education Committee Meeting Agendas

August 27, 2026: TCUSD leaders participated in Tribal Consultation in Window Rock, engaging in meaningful conversations focused on strengthening partnerships and supporting our students, families, and communities. By listening, learning, and working together, we continue to keep students at the center of our work.

  • Tribal Consultation In Window Rock

Native Language & Culture Program Teachers

Belinda Badonie

TCHS Navajo Language

Rosella Keene

TCHS Native American Studies

Myron Arvis

TCJH & TCHS Hopi Language

Valarie Tsinigine

TCHS Navajo Government

Mariah Billy

DLES Navajo Language

Louise Kerley

TCJHS Navajo Language

Susie Robbins

TCHS Navajo Language

Violet Tso

TCES Navajo Language

Angela Blake

TCJHS Navajo Language

Royd Lee

TCES Navajo Language

Susie Store

TCES Navajo Language

Margie Begay

TCES Navajo Language

​​​​​​​Johnson O’Malley Program

What is Johnson O’Malley Program?
The Johnson O’Malley (JOM) Program was established in 1934 by the Johnson O’Malley Act, which authorizes the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to use grants and contracts to provide educational opportunities and assistance for Native American students. The program goal is to help students overcome educational challenges and reach their full potential. The JOM program services include the language programs, career and college readiness, and cultural engagements for students.
Our program is driven by the implementation of the Education Plan. TCUSD #15 Schools may request from the JOM program in the following areas:

  • Cultural presentation by Consultants.
  • Cultural relevant resources, materials, and artifacts.
  • College and Career Readiness.
  • Student field trips
  • Family Cultural learning
  • Parental Cost

Tuba City Unified School District #15 (TCUSD #15) Johnson O’Malley Program


The Navajo Nation Johnson O’Malley Program office contracts with our TCUSD #15 to provide JOM programming. Two requirements for implementation are the establishment of an Indian Education Committee (IEC) and that an Education Plan is created and accepted by the Navajo Nation JOM program. This Education Plan has goals and objectives to meet five support service components, which are developed by utilizing a needs assessment that is completed each year, IEC school visits, input from parents, and data from district report(s). Our students, parents, teachers, and schools benefit from the JOM program.

 

 

Eligibility for TCUSD #15 JOM

  • Must be enrolled in TCUSD #15 schools for SY 26-27
  • Enrolled in a Federally Recognized Tribe, CIB on file
  • Complete JOM Student Assistance Application with supporting documents.

 

 

TCUSD Staff: What can I request?

Requesting supplemental educational and/or cultural support for your classrooms/schools serving Native American / Alaska Native students assists with academic achievement, cultural preservation, and closing the opportunity gap in public school systems. Your request will provide direct student support, culturally relevant programs, and specific educational materials.

Please refer to the JOM Proposal Process and complete the JOM Teacher Request Form below and the Native Lanuage & Culture Program will reach out to you. Please allow for two weeks.

 

Thank you for reaching out to our Program.

 

 

 

Parental Cost Funding JOM

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE JOHNSON O’MALLEY ACT

Bureau of Indian Education Johnson O’Malley Program (BIE-JOM)
The supplemental educational Johnson-O’Malley (JOM) Program is authorized by the Johnson O’Malley Act of 1934 and the implementing regulations are provided in 25 CFR Part 273. As amended, this Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into contracts with States, schools, and private nonsectarian organizations, and to expend appropriated funds in support of eligible Indian students under such contracts. Federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply for JOM contracts. A local JOM program operates under a BIE approved individual educational plan. The JOM educational plans include objectives designed to address the educational needs of eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students, which offers them various opportunities. It may include cultural enrichment, tribal language program, academic assistance, and dropout prevention programs. The JOM assistance grants provide these students with resources to meet their unique and specialized educational needs to help them stay in school and increase their chance of success, and afford parents the opportunity to become and remain involved in their child’s education.

Navajo Nation Johnson O’Malley Plan of Operation; Section II: Purpose (NN-JOM)
The Department of Johnson-O’Malley provides supplemental funding, pursuant to 25 CFR Part 273-Johnson-O’Malley Program for eligible Native American students in public schools, tribal organizations, Indian corporation and previously private schools with unique and specialized educational supports and opportunities i.e. substance abuse counseling, teacher assistants, tutoring program, home school liaison, summer schools, curriculum development, Navajo language/culture enrichment, and other necessary supplemental programs. These programs are implemented with active parental involvement through subcontracts to establish a local Indian Education Committee (IEC) as provided for by 25 CFR Section 273.16, (and related provisions thereof) to conduct needs assessments, planning, development, implementation and evaluation.