NIHEWAN FOUNDATION
For Native American Education

February 13, 2003

Staff and participating teachers and students in the Nihewan Foundation’s Cradleboard Teaching Project and the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are proud to announce that Nihewan founder, Dr. Buffy Sainte-Marie, has accepted an invitation to act as Spokesperson for the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network in Canada.

The UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) works to mobilize public and private learning institutions, including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools and teachers' colleges. ASPnet helps Canadian schools to develop and participate in pilot projects designed to kindle and foster a culture of peace and tolerance. ASPnet seeks to reinforce the role of education in targeting these goals. The UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network sees education as a tool for international understanding, one that would prepare children and youth to approach the urgent challenges facing humanity.

The Nihewan Foundation’s Cradleboard Teaching Project connects classes of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children online as they study science, geography, history, government, social studies and music through the perspective of Aboriginal/Native American communities in both the United States and Canada. The Nihewan Foundation’s Nihewan Youth Council on Race offers a safe place (online) for youth ages 14-21 to define and discuss race issues with peers of other cultures worldwide.

UNESCO spokespersons are firmly committed to the questions and issues of human rights, democracy and tolerance, intercultural learning, the environment, children and youth. Their commitment is known, and documented, in their respective communities and provinces. Buffy Sainte-Marie, Ph.D., best known as the composer of the antiwar song Universal Soldier, won an Academy Award Oscar for the song Up Where We Belong. She holds a teacher’s degree, a degree in Oriental Philosophy, and a doctorate in Fine Arts. She founded the Nihewan Foundation for Native American Education in 1969 and serves as an Officer in the Order of Canada.

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO's role is to act as a forum for governments and civil society, and to catalyze the participation of Canadian organizations and committed individuals in UNESCO's mandated areas: education, natural and social sciences, culture and communication. UNESCO is the only member of the United Nations System to have National Commissions performing this role in each of its Member States.

Contact: Cradleboard Teaching Project: Melinda Barnes
1191 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, HI 96746
Tel: 808 822-3111 Fax: 808 823-0249
E-mail: melinda@cradleboard.org Web site: www.nihewan.org

| Main Menu | Curriculum & Supplements | Cradleboard Private Area | Store |

©2002 Nihewan Foundation