Mark Vasina News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Advocates for Native American students in Massachusetts are working to improve high school graduation rates by improving students' mental health. A hearing is coming up Wednesday on legislation to create a commission to ensure students can learn their cultural heritage and histories, while creating more welcoming school environments. Jean-Luc Pierite, board president of the North American Indian Center of Boston, said unfair disciplinary practices and the continued use of native mascots all contribute to higher dropout and suicide rates for Native American students. ...

(Winnebago) -- Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago says its student body and campus are growing - and so are its options for people to study in STEM fields.

Indigenous leaders are traveling through the Northwest to highlight the plight of dwindling fish populations in the region. The All Our Relations Journey is in Lewiston today and Saturday to call for the removal of four lower Snake River dams that are a barrier to salmon migration. Julian Matthews, a coordinator for Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment, will speak at the event and said saving the endangered salmon in Idaho waters is crucial for tribes. ...

Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago says its student body and campus are growing - and so are its options for people to study in STEM fields. Little Priest has always offered some health and science courses, but college Vice President of Finance and Operations Mark Vasina said the two-year school is also creating pathways to higher education for its graduates. It has transfer agreements with several area colleges - in many cases, with free tuition for getting a bachelor's degree - including Wayne State in Wayne, Nebraska, and Briarcliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. ...